Embrace your Journey #2

“We don't wait for a blueprint or fail-proof scheme, for each step will bring new perspectives and opportunities.”— Joanna Macy & Molly Brown*

When we stop to think of the multitude of issues we need to deal with on a daily basis and the complex challenges humanity as a whole is going through right now, it can feel terribly overwhelming and paralyzing. So how can we go about navigating this complexity?

One option is to take the opportunity to go both inward and outward. How is that even possible? In the book Coming Back to Life: The Updated Guide to the Work that Reconnects, by Joanna Macy and Molly Brown, there is a powerful invitation to connect to our pain for the world on the individual level, including the fear, anger and sorrow we feel on behalf of life on Earth, and to collaborate with each other on the collective level. Here is a sample of what they say:

Another option is to practice systems thinking and be more conscious about what is shaping our worldview. Daniel Wahl offers us a comprehensive understanding of how to do that in his book Designing Regenerative Cultures, which includes the following insight:

It is inspiring how he calls us to nurture human and planetary health by redesigning our presence on Earth. In order to do that, the concept of regeneration is critical. It is also critical to continue to embrace our own unique leadership journeys, and apply our talents to co-create the new.

In this second Briyah Institute newsletter, written as many celebrate Rosh Hashanah and I celebrate my birthday, it is my pleasure to share some insights with you and invite you to be light and to enjoy life! 

Cheers,

Adriana Machado

Founder at Briyah Institute

Have you heard of the Doughnut Economics? This is not only a book by Kate Raworth, but a very innovative way to reframe economics and a wealth of inspiration to take action. When she points out to the fact that the design of companies and organizations in general shapes the outcomes, and outlines the traits that need to be aligned, from purpose, network and governance to ownership and finance, it seems so obvious! So why haven't we thought of this before?

The beauty is that this framework is being applied in real life by the city of Amsterdam and included in the curriculum of The International Baccalaureate? (IB). Check this video from BBC out and let us know how innovative you think this is:

Speaking of frameworks, and keeping in mind that they might be the key to applying good practice, it is always inspiring to see how Robert Hacker weaves in different approaches in his talks. On September 1st, our founder Adriana Machado shared the floor with him at a webinar on entrepreneurship, design and thinking, which you may watch here:

Lastly, but certainly not least, purpose! So much has been said lately on the benefits of aligning profit with purpose and making business a force for good! We recommend taking a closer look at a novel movement launched on September 10th by the B Lab called the B Movement Builders initiative. It is "a coalition of purpose-driven, multinational, publicly-traded companies with a vision of transforming the global economy to support long-term value creation for all stakeholders." First of its kind, its founding cohort has collective revenues of ~$60bn USD and 250,000 employees. 

Having worked for big more traditional multinational companies, and more recently experimenting the other side of the spectrum by creating the Briyah Institute as a Benefit Corporation, we look forward to seeing the results and wish Bonduelle, Gerdau, Givaudan and Magalu a swift transformation!

Actually, our founder spoke about the rising level of consciousness by companies at a session of FIU's Continuing Education Lunch & Learn series entitled "Reinventing Capitalism?".

Looking for further insights? Watch another talk on "5 Tips on Systems Thinking for Leaders", and join us for the CEO Meet & Master Program as a participant or talk to us about sponsoring curated groups of diverse leaders from different parts of the world. Nominations for the October class are open! Click here.

“Do whatever you do joyfully, because discipline -- the true meaning of the word -- is characterized by doing something with joy. Even the little things: see them as an opportunity, a blessing, a meditation, as spiritual practice. Then, even if it's difficult, it will be good. If you use hardships in a proper way, they can even bring peace.” 

― Olivia Ames Hoblitzelle**

At Briyah Institute we bridge innovation, practice and purpose to inspire leaders to transform organizations co-creating an impact economy.

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*Joanna Macy is an environmental activist, author, scholar of Buddhism, general systems theory, and deep ecology. Molly Young Brown is an educator, practitioner, researcher and writer. She brings ecopsychology, psychosynthesis, and systems thinking to her work. 

** Olivia Ames Hoblitzelle is a writer and teacher inspired by over forty years of practice in psychology, Buddhist meditation, and other wisdom traditions. Her award winning book, Ten Thousand Joys & Ten Thousand Sorrows: A Couple's Journey Through Alzheimer's, is a narrative memoir of how she and her husband handled his illness, drawing inspiration from their background in Buddhist practice.