I was extremely fortunate to have a wonderful mentor and coach who introduced me to the Japanese concept of happiness #ikigai (reason for being), and I have reused this many times when I have been lucky enough to coach or mentor colleagues too.
As I continue the search for my next career step, this model resonates with me even more, so I thought I would share some of my reflections.
This time however, I thought I would start with what the world needs and worked anti-clockwise.
What the world needs (not an exhaustive list):
- A transition from fossil fuels to #renewables... Quickly!
- Protection of our precious #ecosystems (oceans, forests, mangroves, rivers and the biodiversity that lives in them) acting as lungs and other vital organs for our planet.
- Further decarbonisation initiatives to meet the 1.5 degrees Celsius imperative so as not to irreversibly compromise our climate. "This is not a political target" (quote Johan Rockstr?m in his World Economic Forum Planetary Boundaries presentation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBKe4Kji6Co - whilst I am at it, we need to listen to the scientists. We really don't want the permafrost to thaw!)????
- A move to a #circulareconomy and #regenerative supply chains... we must aim beyond #carbonneutrality if we actually want to hit it.????
- The world needs a little more love, tolerance and equality. Conflicts are not helping anyone focus on the bigger picture i.e., we need a healthy planet for other next generations to not only live on, but thrive on.
- My family and friends. (I really would like our son to be able to enjoy nature and its beautiful #biodiversity in the way we have been lucky to do so. It would also be great if he could grow up in an environment that is less volatile.)
- Helping others be the best they can be and seeing them grow and succeed.
- Innovation. Humans can be amazing creatures. Let’s use #innovation for good and apply it so as to achieve what the planet / world needs.
- Fun. We spend a lot of time at work. May as well make it an enjoyable experience.
- #creativity / creative writing. I love turning complex #sustainable positions into simple, meaningful and purposeful visions that people can easily buy into. I also love writing and telling stories (‘Disgusting Justin’ is more an Icky Guy than Ikigai – being an author is more of a passion than a paying job – I am no Julia Donaldson!)?
- The UN #sustainabledevelopment goals #UNSDGs. They cover pretty much everything we need to focus on in a vibrant, clear and communicable way. We need more stakeholders to adopt them.
- Motivating, engaging, enabling and empowering others. Celebrating their successes and coaching them when things have not quite gone to plan. Creating inclusive environments where they can bring their best selves to work and share their diversity of thought. (Also known as leadership)
- Systems thinking and understanding network effects, enabling me to find circular economy solutions. With over 2 decades of experience doing this, I get it.
- Building relationships across organisations and with any type of stakeholder (Customers, Employees, Shareholders, Government, Industry Groups etc...), through clear communication and storytelling capabilities.
?Hope this is helpful to anyone who is searching for their next step. Let me know if any of this resonates with you and how you found your #Ikigai?
Director of Supply Chain GYG FRACI, CChem
2 年This Ikigai was not mine… but could have been…
Managing Director at Leadership Dynamics l Leadership Coach l Team Facilitator l Inclusive Leadership
2 年I’ve worked with this for some years now Justin and it’s once of the reasons I set up my own business back in 2018. I often use it when coaching my clients too. I hope you finding it useful too!