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Mature and immature societies and the option of harmonizing behavior
Our behavior is very much conditioned by our surroundings, the culture in which we live, our upbringing and education. The current societal pressure on financial performance in a competitive and demanding environment has impact on our mental and physical wellness, the psychology of our behavior and even the level of maturity of our societies. In order to understand this we need to define what maturity is. As a participant and player in the current society we tend to be blinded for it consequences. When I started to look at reality from the human centered perspective of Sustainocracy, gradually a good impression was obtained about the lack of maturity that is sustained also by the way Western democracies are structured around interests rather than responsibilities. By adding the layer of sustainocracy to the overall functioning of these societies a degree of warm mature engagement is achieved that provides sustainable harmonization to the communities.
This I tried to develop in the article published through a worldwide journal of psychiatry. It is free of charge. Feel free to comment and reflect:
Spirituality and Business
Prof. Dr. Sharda Nandram reflects about this during the Nyenrode University “radical thinkers” event. You can watch and listen to her arguments here.
It is of course admirable that a Business University takes a stand away from the traditional bottom line business philosophy that we tend to call “1 x WIN, 3 x LOSS” referring to the negative impact on society, the human being and our environment, purely out of financial win motivation. When I myself occupied general management positions in big multinational I had been drawn into that same tunnel vision and related competitive complexity. Only after leaving such a position I started to develop my own awareness resulting in the 4 x WIN entrepreneurial ideology of the 21st century. That is how I got to intellectually and spiritually interact intensely with the predecessor and mentor of Nandram, Prof. Dr. Paul de Blot. It was in that occasion that I briefly met Ms Sharda as highly valued disciple of Paul in Nyenrode.
In my quest to develop a societal evolutionary path it became key to simplify the process, despite the complexity of the engagement and transformational consequences. It is not so much radical thinking but more the acceptance of a shared collective social, humanitarian and ecological responsibility. The five essential values for our sustainable human existence, as defined in Sustainocracy, also reflect the “To Be” spirituality, the meaningfulness, of a new era for institutions and institutional positioning. This “To Be” is not only relevant for the business environment but also for government institutions, scientific and educational organizations and even us as citizens in a new world of shared responsibilities. This “To Be” then determines the “To Do” impact and action driven reality of these institutions. It would fill in the K2 and K3 referred to in the speech as “unknown” and “belief” into belief in one’s authenticity as institution and its positive contributions to our harmonic and symbiotic relationship with our selves and our natural environment.
Our spiritual (non religious) evolution from “conscious competition and survival” to “conscious living in harmony”
Our societal path from hierarchical self interests to shared responsibility and sustainable progress
Masterclass about the complexity of introducing transformative changes
Whether it is the make over of a company from 1 x WIN into 4 x WIN, the closure of a road for traffic for healthy air and new urban functions, the abandoning of a product line for another, the change of a cultural habit for a more healthy one, changing job, redesigning an urban quarter, transforming a farm into a bed and breakfast, the battle between the car and bike in towns, starting to work from home to avoid commuting, etc. They are all transformative activities that face fear, uncertainties and maybe even opposition of your surroundings. They require vision, determination, guts, leadership and firm belief that these changes are for the better, even if no one else sees it yet. The complexity of change demotivates many, especially those in key functions. They prefer the status quo to preserve their position even if change is required from them. Self sacrifice is feared and not always a nice foresight when guts and self confidence fail.
Read more about the core natural human values here.
Or about the evolution of humankind and the transformation economy.
Doing such changes together, in a multidisciplinary environment, makes a difference. It becomes easier, with the support and admiration of your surroundings. Especially if this surroundings is undergoing transformative changes of their own and at the same time, supported or enhanced by yours. This masterclass is being offered strategically to all stakeholders of the region of Southeast Brabant in the Netherlands that have joined the AiREAS community for regional health and a healthy environment. Such a commitment requires not just one transformative change but many. The masterclass is also made available to other enterprises, regional communities or businesses in the world dealing with complex issues for sustainable progress.
Sustainocracy, the new democracy 