Embrace your Journey #27

"We must learn to look at the world as an open secret." ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe*

Ready to see differently? To embrace a change of perspective? Or do you prefer to let life surprise you? Let me put it this way: are you focused too narrowly on the future as Futurist Amy Web** suggested at SXSW when she launched her 2023 Trend Report or are you walking the world with an open gaze?

It is ok to feel confused with so much going on. Who to trust? How about practicing more of the so called critical thinking, but holding judgement to begin with, paying attention to what you are thinking, what is influencing your thoughts and worldview, what values are guiding your decision making process?

How about getting to trust yourself first, as Goethe used to say?

Easier said than done? It may take some practice, and the benefits of being a leader of your own life can be quite rewarding!

Yes, Goethe said this a long time ago, and it remains true to date! There needs to be some effort from your part, and we are here to support you in your journey.

Continue to read through this newsletter for further insights, stay curious and tuned to what we post at the?Briyah Institute's page on LinkedIn?and?enjoy your Leadership Journey as a new season unfolds!

Cheers,

Adriana Machado

According to Futurist Amy Webb, "everything is readable information". "We have entered the Assistive Computing Era!" It seems like a lot of innovation all around us, but is it really?

She says we are living a moment in time where there is a lot of "AIOSMOSIS", that is AI + OSMOSIS: we allow flow of data into AI systems through any source or situation without even being aware of it! AND, on top of that, AI has a huge bias problem!

So, what are the right trends to focus on? Are we going to be passive observers accepting everything that eloquently or elegantly comes our way or actively and effectively taking charge of the future we want? Here is the recording of her talk in podcast format.

You may download the report from the Future Today Institute:

And listen to an interview she gave to Michael Covel:

Continuing to reflect on what Amy Webb is saying, "technology itself isn't bad, it's how we deploy it." So what best practices should leaders cultivate? She suggests that instead of complacency, we should apply the "see something, say something" principle.

Speaking of seeing, why not work to develop our sensory capabilities further? Why not become better observers of a great teacher called nature to explore different ways to deal with the problems we face?

Here is a great resource provided by experts on asking nature:

Biomimicry offers us the possibility of living more sustainably, challenging the mechanistic worldview that has become mainstream in this assistive computing era.

Let us learn to understand the language of nature and actively practice deriving meaning.

Speaking of deriving meaning, are you focused on the outermost layer of perception or learning to crack open and understand yourself and the reality around you more deeply?

Brené Brown*** offers some provocative insights on understanding personal values, having the courage to stand alone, of true belonging.

She mentions Maya Angelou**** as inspiration to her. So here is further inspiration directly from the source so you can continue to practice attuning yourself. Enjoy!

"In nature we never see anything isolated, but everything in connection with something else which is before it, beside it, under it and over it." ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Looking for further insights on how to apply systems thinking to work and life while interacting with other leaders from around the world???Join us for the CEO Meet & Master Program.?Registrations for the June cohort are now open.

We look forward to seeing you there!

At?Briyah Institute?we bridge innovation, practice and purpose to ignite leaders to transform organizations co-creating an impact economy -- that which pursues financial returns alongside positive impact for people and planet.

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*?Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 to 1832) was considered the greatest German literary figure of the modern era. He was a German poet, playwright, novelist, statesman, theatre director, critic, amateur artist and also a scientist dedicated to studying multiple areas of knowledge, including geology and botany. According to Britannica, in his theory of colour "he saw that it is of the essence of colour to require cooperation between the physical behaviour of light and the human perceptual apparatus. Goethe’s colour theory has real originality as a theory of vision rather than as a theory of light. In making this change to what one might call a more subjective science, Goethe was greatly helped by his study of the philosophy of Immanuel Kant, which was completely transforming the German intellectual landscape." His work has inspired many, including Austrian philosopher Rudolph Steiner in developing the concepts of Anthroposophy.

** Amy Webb is a futurist, an author, a professor of strategic foresight at New York University’s Stern School of Business, and the Founder of the Future Today Institute, a leading foresight and strategy firm that helps leaders and their organizations prepare for complex futures. She is a Visiting Fellow at Oxford University’s S?id School of Business, a Fellow in the United States-Japan Leadership Program and a Foresight Fellow in the U.S. Government Accountability Office Center for Strategic Foresight. She was elected a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations and is a member of the Bretton Woods Committee. She is a Steward and Steering Committee Member of the World Economic Forum’s Future of Media, Entertainment and Sport Board and serves on WEF’s Global Futures Council. She has pioneered a data-driven, technology-led foresight methodology that is now used within hundreds of organizations.?

*** Brené Brown is an author, a research professor at the University of Houston, and a visiting professor in management at the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business. She has spent the past two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy.?

**** Maya Angelou (Marguerite Ann Johnson -- 1928 to 2014) is a world-famous author, poet, dancer, singer, activist, and scholar. She was best known for her unique and pioneering autobiographical writing style. She carried out a wide variety of activities on stage and screen as a writer, actor, director, and producer. In 2011, President Barack Obama awarded Angelou the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civilian honor.?