BEYOND SUSTAINABILITY - hope, optimism and confidence

In my previous article, I shared the concept behind “Beyond Sustainability”.?I used the metaphor of the karate master aiming beyond their target to smash through wood or stone and suggested that, if we aim to create the “better future” of our ideal world or paradise, we will inherently deliver on sustainability.

I described our “better future” as a world of connection, peace, vitality, abundance, opportunity and wisdom.

In this article, I want to explain the reason for my hope, optimism and confidence that we will deliver the paradise we all dream of.??My reason relates to my understanding of the way Purpose works.?This understanding can be summarised in three powerful principles:

1. Life in a context
2. Self-similarity
3. The observer

I have described these principles elsewhere in more detail, including in a book I am currently writing with colleagues at Primeast on “Purposeful Leadership”.?So, I’ll try and describe them as concisely as possible below and then I shall emphasise why these principles give me hope, optimism and confidence.

The “life in a context” principle was mainly inspired by the work of Dr Bruce Lipton who discovered that tissue grown from human stem cells would take one form if placed in one solution and a different form if placed in another.?This suggests that life-purpose is an energetic reaction between a life form and its environment.

The second principle is “self-similarity”, inspired by the work of Benoit Mandelbrot, the “father of fractal mathematics”. ?He noticed repeating patterns of self-similarity throughout the natural world.?This can be seen in clouds, coastlines, ferns (as shown) and countless other places.?This helps us to understand that purpose arises when life at any scale is placed in a context.?So, what works for stem cells, is equally true of humans, teams, organisations and humanity.?

Thirdly, the “observer” principle suggests that purpose depends on who is looking at a situation.?To put it another way, it is how the life form experiences itself and its context.?This is a vital component of Purposeful Leadership which, when understood, can help leaders maximise the power of purpose to deliver change – which is what leaders do.

The way these three powerful principles play out in Beyond Sustainability is remarkable.?I suggest that it is reasonable to assume that there is huge diversity and capability in humanity.?I got a glimpse of this recently when I was returning to consciousness after an operation.?I marvelled at the diversity of talent that made my operation successful.?Not just the surgeon, but the anaesthetist, the nurses, the catering staff, the engineers that built the hospital, the pharmacists – and this is just the tip of the iceberg.

I would suggest that this plays out for every challenge, known and unknown, to humanity.?People are working to solve problems, deliver solutions and collaborate with others to make the system work.?And if they’re not doing so now, someone somewhere is being sufficiently curious and innovative to do so when the time is right.?This all stems from the three principles described above.?Everyone (to a greater of lesser extent) has a capability the world needs.?Their purpose is being stimulated by something going on in the world that they feel drawn to.?

Self-organising complexity

Mathematics also works to help us self-organise.?If we see that some purposes are over-subscribed but others are under-subscribed, we may develop a sense of urgency to go where we are needed or “called” – providing we are the right person with the right skills for the job.?We see this work at parties.?The musician sits at the piano.?Someone else starts to sing.?The chef cooks a delicious meal.?The social angel notices the person at a loose end and talks to them.?Someone fills the empty glasses and we all have a good time.?

Yes, this sounds like the best of parties and we know it isn’t always like that.?But it works well enough for most of us to enjoy parties!?So it is with the creation of paradise.

Even if we don’t fill the “technical” roles of creating our paradise, there are so many other roles we can and do fill.?We may think that what we need in the world is a bunch of scientists and engineers innovating our way through and beyond the challenges we face.?Well, yes we do – but we also need people to encourage them.?One of my favourite personal thoughts is this:

Every time we notice, encourage and celebrate someone who is changing the word, we are changing the world.

I have these words on my Linked In profile banner.

Think about it.?Who do you know that is doing an amazing job – making the world a better place??If you’ve noticed them, what have you done to encourage and celebrate their achievements?

Watch out for the Earth Warriors

The innovator and the encourager are just two of twelve archetypal roles that I will refer to in a future article on “Earth Warriors” where I shall describe some of the (in my humble opinion) key personalities that come together to make paradise a reality.?By the way, only nine of my Earth Warriors are positive.?There are a couple of renegades in the mix and one who simply isn’t playing.?But life’s like that.?

Until the next article, I hope you find the thoughts above encouraging.?Let me know in the comments.?

And, if you’d like a chat, talk, webinar, workshop or coaching session on Beyond Sustainability, get in touch with me or any of the lovely team at Primeast.?We’re all trying our best to create the conditions for a better future.