Co-creating Human Values

“In oneself lies the whole world and if you know how to look and learn, the door is there, and the key is in your hand. Nobody on earth can give you either the key or the door to open, except yourself.”- Jiddu Krishnamurti

Jiddu Krishnamurti was so profound in underlining how the key to learn and act is in our hand; the onus is on us as individuals on whether we do something that is ethically and morally correct or incorrect. No one else can open the door to values-based living and the world of ethics for us; we are alone responsible. People can tell us on what is right or wrong, try to sensitize us but cannot take action on our behalf. It is when we start realizing its deeper implications and our responsibilities then we can align with others in our institutions and co-create human values- the essential pillar for mutual coexistence. ?

More than ever before, we feel that co-creating human values in institutions is a necessity. Simple conversations with individuals from different age groups, in particular senior citizens echoes the decline the human values in institutions- whether it is families, our educational institutions or other organizations where we might be working. Human values are significant pillars of our everyday life which form the guiding principles of our actions, attitude and behaviours. Human values provide expression to our basic human needs and definitely have a powerful motivational component. When we think of values, we think of them as some kind of standards and frameworks on the basis of which we may act, make our decisions, determine our relationships and resolve our disputes.

In this conversation, we converse on the essence of co-creating human values in institutions which we want to argue are key to JoyfulTalisman for these institutions.

Vedabhyas Kundu: Munazah, when we introduced our concept of JoyfulTalisman to our readers in a previous conversation, we were talking about how we can remain joyful when we have deep reverence for all lives and respect for human dignity. Here we should expand it from an individual level to institutional level and strive to explore on how our families, organizations we might study or work can remain joyful by imbibing the principles of respect and observance of human values. These values are definitely significant pillars which can contribute to joyfulness as these fosters a sense of purpose, deep connections, and well-being not just amongst individuals but also amongst groups and communities. For instance, Munazah, I strongly believe that when we start prioritizing human values like compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, and reconciliation in our families and institutions, members will definitely experience joy and overall well-being. So these are all our talisman of joy. ?

Munazah Shah: The pillars of our JoyfulTalisman, Vedabhyas, you have beautifully put together for our readers. Each one of us need to reflect and introspect both at individual and institutional level that when human values like respect, empathy, affection, understanding, openness and flexibility are the guiding principles of all our interactions, we are building trust amongst all members and these in turn contribute to harmonious relationships. Believe me Vedabhyas, each one of us will agree that when we nurture these human values, not only we create an environment of joyfulness but also further a sense of belongingness amongst all members.

Vedabhyas, let me share the experience of a friend in an organization:

She said till the time a narcissist boss came, there was an environment of relative bonhomie amongst the staff. There was humour and essentially a sense of belongingness. But with this new boss, he started dividing all, became hostile to different individuals, and adopted extreme retributive practices. As a result, from an environment of bonhomie, the institution saw a fast erosion of human values and cohesion. The staff became suffocated, there was complete lack of trust and steadily the individuals started to lose their sense of belongingness in the organization. The JoyfulTalisman was no longer there.

It is in this context, to my mind, Vedabhyas it should be a continuous endeavor in institutions to co-create human values so that these can shape the character of an institution notwithstanding the emergence of a narcissist whose main aim is to erode all values. When we constantly co-create human values, then the foundation of our institutions becomes strong and develops the ability to withstand the narcissist tendencies.?

Vedabhyas Kundu: Munazah, to my mind the foundation of the whole concept of co-creation is our concept of human interdependence literacy. Let me, for our readers revisit the key points of human interdependence literacy: ?Developing critical capacities to not only understand and assimilate the deep meaning of human interdependence, but also be able to act on its principles in our daily lives. It also means how we enhance our cognitive capabilities to comprehend the complexities involved in the micro and macro dimensions of the phenomenon of human interdependence and contribute to its realization at all levels of our life and society.

So when we act on the principles of human interdependence, we, in institutions will develop a spirit of working together in harmony and co-creating. According to Andrea Harding, “Co-creation refers to the concept that all life is entangled and creating together and the outcomes we create and experience are always a result of these interactions. Agents can include human beings, living organisms, nature, molecules, the cosmos and ‘God’.”? (https://medium.com/@andreaharding_64695/co-creation-defining-the-integral-worldview-of-a-new-age-8ed4b73d4320) Co-creation is essentially the act of collective creativity which is promoted and experienced by two or more people.

Here Munazah, an important point that we should remember when we talk of members of an institution coming together and co-creating human values is the cardinal principle that our value system should not be seen as static; it can keep on changing according to situations and contexts. Also when we talk of co-creating, we must also remember that there is a possibility of individuals having one set of values for one context, and another set of values for another context. It is in this context, we need to encourage members in families, institutions and organizations come and work together creatively for value creation.

Munazah Shah: Vedabhyas, as we converse on co-creating values, we must remember that a fundamental pillar of such a creative endeavour, is respect for human dignity. Whether it is families or other institutions if members who are working together are not respected, their dignity recognized, and all their contributions recognized and valued, then in difficult situations, for instance if there is an advent of a narcissist, they will never be together. The value system, which we are talking about will always have a weak foundation. As it is a continuous and dynamic process, a climate of deep reverence for each other irrespective of one’s position is certain to solidify the value system. So even if there is someone who is a narcissist, to my mind, the team as a whole will be able to respond positively.

Vedabhyas Kundu: Taking forward your point on the essence of human dignity, Munazah, I feel the other important dimensions which can realize the goals of co-creating human values are the essence of empathy and deep listening. When members develop skills of empathy, they will be able to understand the problems and concerns of others. In most institutions, be it families or other organizations, we find decline in empathetic values; it reduces the endeavor to co-create. When we start talking to people across different institutions, they share the stark individualistic experiences bereft of any empathy. Here is one story of an acquaintance who has a harrowing time in his organization:

The boss, for no rhyme or reason put me in a very difficult position. There was hardly anyone who came to me to join me in responding to the toxic actions. I felt isolated, trying to fight my own battle.

Such situations can never be conducive to co-creating values of any sort. So to my mind the fundamental nature of all institutions- be it families or any other organizations- should be to help develop understanding of each other, promote the values of empathy and gratitude, and be sites of genuine dialogues. Besides, of course, encourage active and deep listening.

Munazah Shah: Here, Vedabhyas, as we come towards the end of this conversation let us revisit how co-creation can bring diverse perspectives and creativity to problems in institutions and help in maintaining the intrinsic value system even in challenging times. What is important in any institution is to find sustainable solutions to problems and ensure maintenance of values which do not demonize any members. I strongly feel that by ensuring an environment of co-creation, such values can be maintained.?

To conclude, we would like to underline that by promoting human interdependency literacy and ensuring a strong foundation where members are encouraged to co-create values in an institution, we are actually solidifying our JoyfulTalisman. For a joyful environment and the overall well-being of each members of the institution, the value of being able to co-create is enormous and lends to solidarity and empathetic engagement. We also strongly believe that when we are promoting human values in an institution, we are essentially trying to fulfill the basic human aspirations that are key to our happiness and well-being.

Here as we finish this conversation, let us share this apt quote of Mahatma Gandhi from

People in the West generally hold that the whole duty of man is to promote the happiness of the majority of mankind, and happiness is supposed to mean only physical happiness and economic prosperity. If the laws of morality are broken in the conquest of this happiness, it does not matter very much. …This exclusive search for physical and economic well-being prosecuted in disregard of morality is contrary to divine law, as some wise men in the West have shown. One of these was John Ruskin who contends in?Unto This Last?that men can be happy only if they obey the moral law. (Unto this Last: A Paraphrase by Mahatma Gandhi)

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