Big Shifts: From Isolation to Wholeness
Becoming whole means that we seek opportunities that take into account all perspectives; they show us a broader spectrum of the possibilities at our disposal.
Imagine if an organization was a large body, with each person representing an organ in this body. Our bodies have integrated working parts and systems; the organs that combine into systems like the digestive system or the immune system work in groups to serve the needs of the human body.
There is no part of the human body that works in isolation; each part does its jobs with the support of all our organs. In a similar way, it’s time to bring dignity and respect for each person’s voice and bring us together in business, where organizations are seen as systems that follow the cycle of nature.
With a shared purpose, people can come together, as each aspect of an organization does its part with the support of all our integrated roles. For many of us, taking a holistic approach is challenging because it forces us to examine long-held (and often unconscious) beliefs. For example, we are used to trying to find a single right answer and a short-term solution to address very complex problems.
On Becoming Whole, Again
On the journey to becoming whole, we want to reflect on ancient wisdom that elevates spiritual pursuits beyond mere material acquisitions. In business, too, we need to remember to heed nature’s cycles, because we don’t exist in isolation from the rest of nature. When we act out of harmony with nature, we inevitably pay the price, sooner or later. What if we value life more deeply—our own life, as well as the life of other people and organisms?
As Stephen Hawking reminds us: “For millions of years, mankind lived just like the animals. Then something happened which unleashed the power of our imagination. We learned to talk and we learned to listen. Speech has allowed the communication of ideas, enabling human beings to work together to build the impossible.
Mankind’s greatest achievements have come about by talking, and its greatest failures by not talking. It doesn’t have to be like this. Our greatest hopes could become reality in the future. With the technology at our disposal, the possibilities are unbounded. All we need to do is make sure we keep talking.”