Human Resonance is Essential for Excellence

What is Resonance

Resonance as a word , is better understood than defined in a dictionary . The very dry & restricted definition in a dictionary does not do justice to this beautiful & potent concept --- so here is my sense making on ‘ Resonance ‘

Resonance is a state of matter where it feels abundance of energy – free flow from within , at will , towards attaining fulfilment 

We have learnt the concept of ‘Resonance’ in our school physics . Essence below

Any metal when struck ,vibrates & probably makes a sound….. Remember we did an experiment of hitting a metal tong on a hard surface …. Each metal (among its properties) has a ‘Natural frequency of Vibration’. When we strike the metal at say its ‘natural frequency’ its amplitude of vibration doubles. That is called ‘Resonance’… The metal ‘resonates’, when struck at its natural frequency. Natural frequency is unique to each metal … just like properties like melting point .

You can feel it happening in Music . If you pull / strike a string of a stringed musical instrument in just the right way you see the string buzzing & feel the melodious , longer lasting musical vibrations . You would have seen a musician with trained ears quickly setting / tuning his/ her instruments

You can hear this resonance in the sound of a ball being hit by a cricket bat ( or even a Tennis racquet) , just at the right spot & at the right time ( timing )

Is Human Resonance possible ?

I borrow this concept into Human behavior, where I think it is equally existing & applicable --- and more importantly has far greater implication in areas of engagement & excellence.

I believe like metals , each human being has his / her very unique ‘ natural frequency ‘ --- I do not know what it could be called --- but when touched ‘that’ , a person resonates … just like when touched a ‘raw nerve’ someone can explode or breakdown !

Striking a person at his / her natural frequency is to make him / her feel good about his / her existence & the purpose of being there, by aligning individual purpose with organisational pursuits .

Every person has a certain ‘constitution’… which is unique in combination but not exclusive in components. Constitution is made / defined from Attitude, Beliefs, Value system, various Dispositions, Drives etc. Striking a natural frequency is seeking closest alignment between the Constitution & the Ambience in which a human operates. The greater is the alignment; closer are we to the natural frequency of that person. It is hence of a very high significance to make a careful choice of constitutionally more aligned persons when you are selecting candidates for positions , especially Senior level , in an organization.

How does it feel / How do I sense resonance ?

When a person likes what he/she is doing, resonance happens. Just like in Metals, ‘amplitude’ doubles in Human Resonance. This is exhibited through: Work output (productivity), Work quality (efficiency), Collaborative & synergistic tendencies in team working, “positive gossip” on one hand; but equally importantly through visible Joy, Energy & a sense of Fulfilment a person feels. It will be seen through pro activeness with which a person works. At this level the person works with a lot of ownership and self-management… He/ she does not need to be ‘told’ or ‘supervised’. .. a common ( avoidable ) curse of current management working .

More importantly , when it happens , you can feel ( for self ) & see ( for others ) this resonance …this is a state of exhilaration , where you experience ecstasy & joy ‘ for nothing ‘ , in anything you do . This is a state where ‘ things happen ‘ , you don’t need to try too hard … nothing you do is a burden for you – the more you do what you do , the more happy you feel ( & not tired ) ; you kind of ‘ float ‘ smoothly , everything seems to make sense to you , you have a purpose to exist , you feel life is too short for ALL that you want to do . You have a Great sense of self worth& feel immensely fulfilled . It is a very desired state of mind to be in .

We as individuals & as organisations should not let resonance happen in sporadic bursts and in unpredictable pattern ; but see that Resonance becomes the sustainable , ‘ Natural ‘ state to be in. Eventually resonance needs to be a part of organisation’s cultural compulsion .

Organisatonal Resonance

I also believe that apart from Individual Resonance , there is also a Collective Resonance ( like the Bees humming & working in perfect harmony )

When resonance happens in an Organisation set up , you see ( not just better but) outstanding results , high energy levels – almost contagious – in employees , a ‘ buzz’ around , you feel the vibrance in the ambience ; it’s a whole lot of positivity which shows not just in measurable results but also in individual fulfilment / happiness and higher employee engagement leading to high retentions .

o  When collective resonance happens , we see a multiplier effect – these organisations may even reach a stage of ‘ Collective Consciousness ‘ …. Where things ‘ happen ‘ , everyone ‘ knows ‘ – nothing needs to be told or explained or asked .

How do we help Human Resonance ?

How do we make a person resonate …. How do we know his / her ‘Natural frequency’…. Answer is “Tuning”…. Just how do we tune into various radio stations .It is like a wavelength at which radio waves transmission happens for a channel / radio station , if your receiving devise is ‘ tuned ‘ to catch that frequency , you ‘Connect’ ! 

There is no ready formula . But I do have a good understanding of what – why – how it works . It is about ‘ striking a chord ‘ with another person . Various initiatives we can undertake for reaching human resonance , can be categorized into two ‘ buckets ‘ : Alignment , Ambience

ALIGNMENT : Each of us has a natural tendency – an inherent strength to do something very well . While a person may be average in some things , there will always be that ‘ one thing ‘ where the really excels --- what Gallup organization calls ‘ Talent ‘ . We only need to understand an employee’s talent & align it with right role . When some one does what he/ she is naturally inclined to do , he/she will reach excellence & thereby a greater sense of fulfilment

AMBIENCE : We do not need to ‘ make ‘ a person resonate ; that the individual does , what the organization needs to do is to provide facilitative ambience for each to blossom . There are many mechanisms / tools one can use to root the employee in Trust & Comfort , with the organization ; like :

o  (i) Create outstanding on boarding experience , (ii) Buddy system , (iii) UYE – Understand Your Employee ( beyond CV )& identify that one aspect on which we can create Unique Value , (iv) EVP – Employee Value Proposition ( non monetary promise an organization holds to make an employee ‘ long to belong ‘ )