How 50 Cent changed my idea of Ikigai (and other takeaways from our Sales Kick-Off)

Last month, I had the joy to be at our Sales Kick-off in Prague. One of my favorite parts of this 4-day event is our HexTalks, during which Hexagon employees of all "walks of life" talk about the challenges they’ve overcome, from rowing across the Netherlands to missing the Olympic trials by ten milliseconds – twice.?

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The power of ("positive" and "negative") Ikigai to set goals...?

And this year, my favorite talk was “What would you do if you were not afraid?” by Laurine Willie-Paul.??

It was about topics that are close to my heart, underlining the profound impact our backgrounds have on who we become and the transformative power of maintaining a positive mindset.?

It also offered a provocative take on the concept of Ikigai. Ikigai, as you may know, is the idea that, by finding what lies at the intersection of what you love doing, what you’re good at, what gives you purpose, what has an impact and what you can get paid for, you can find your true calling.??

For the past few years, I’ve been an enthusiastic adopter of the concept of Ikigai, and of Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles’s book Ikigai, the Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life – to the point of gifting it to my entire team. I find it a very useful framework both for self-reflection and for team communication, and a great way to consider the forces that drive us – our passions, mission, profession and vocation.?

What I found intriguing is that?Laurine insisted on the opposite idea, borrowing this quote from rapper 50 Cent: “If it isn’t making me money, making me happy, or making me better, I am not making time for that”. Call it a "negative" Ikigai: fulfilment is also about getting away from the things that keep you busy for little benefit or holding you back.?

I find these two frameworks a great way for setting goals for yourself – whether to lean into what fulfils you or cutting off what doesn’t. And a key part of achieving these goals is to find the right support system.?

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... And the power of communities of purpose to achieve them?

And this brings us to the power of communities – and, in particular, to another notion that stuck with me in Laurine’s presentation: the Japanese idea of Moai.??

Typical of the island of Okinawa, a Moai is a lifelong social support group that forms around common interests, and is ready to pool its resources to support its members. It has been identified as one of the reasons why Okinawa has the greatest number of centenarians anywhere in the world.?

It’s easy to mistake that concept for approaching ideas we have in English, such as someone’s inner circle or close friends. But communities of purpose are different in that they are dynamic and specific – just like you don’t go to the same friends or family members for career advice, emotional support or to join you on a trip.?

This topic particularly resonated this year, as we launched the Hexagon women’s network. It is meant to serve as a community of purpose to support and inspire each other and cultivate our potential and ambitions. And, who knows – it might even lead to some lifelong friendships!?