The integration of an inner space and external behaviours

Clay is molded to shape into pot; yet it is the emptiness within that which makes it an utensil. 

Doors and windows are cut to make a room; yet it is the inner space 
which makes it livable. Therefore, advantage comes from what is; 
Usefulness comes from what is not.

-Lao Tzu

It is often the case that we focus more on clay, doors and windows and less on emptiness and inner space. While clay, doors and windows are important, exploring inner space is even more useful and critical. It is these inner spaces that bring out the best in us and we feel liberated and fulfilled in personal and professional context.

Let me share my own story here. 

Till the year 2013, my focus mostly was on what kind of clothes I wore, the language (at work) I spoke, the places I visited and how much money I was making (these are my clay, windows and doors). Now these are still part of my focus, but that’s not the point, the interesting part comes now;

Once, I was attending an interview and an interviewer asked me a question – “So Nivedita what are your values”? I suddenly felt a sense of confusion and thought why is he asking about my values and how it is relevant here?

That thought was followed by profound discomfort of not knowing and where to access the data to move into knowing.

This interview was a turning point in my life and that's where my journey of self-discovery/inner space started. I attended T-Group/sensitivity training and I opened my first window to look inside.

This was the first time I realised why I was experiencing a discomfort when asked a question which was alien to me. There were three discoveries which followed the T group lab.

1. When I get asked a question for which I don't have an answer - I experience loss of power/control of that moment and there is a subtle threat to the survival as my deeper need to feel secure is always acting through me.
2. Why knowing your values are important and why I was asked that question in an interview - I am using Richard Barrett's words for an explanation. Values stand at the very core of human decision‐making. When we work in an organisation whose culture aligns with our personal values, we feel liberated. We are able to bring our full selves to work. We not only bring our energy, our creativity, and our enthusiasm, we also bring our commitment to the well‐being of our associates and the success of the organisation. Unleashing this energy is tantamount to liberating the corporate soul.
3. My personal values are humility, courage, openness, compassion and personal fulfilment. The next organisation which hired me, had a culture of openness and courage so there was clear alignment of 2 values and hence I was able to add value to the work I was doing by bringing my whole-self.

When I discover who I am, I’ll be free. ~ Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man

I now know the importance of self-discovery and how it impacts my actions in day to day life. Have I become completely self-aware - the answer is big NO; Am I on the continuous journey - YES and the focus is on clay, doors and windows as well as emptiness and inner space.

Let's also reflect what is the central role of values in an organisations (what kind of inner space they want to create and what kind of clay will be visible outside in the form of culture) I am using an example of values as one of the traits of self/organisational discovery.

There are four critical issues preoccupying the boardrooms of both large and small companies around the world:

• How do we increase profits and shareholder value?
• How do we attract and keep talented people?
• How do we build brand loyalty?
• How do we ensure that ethics permeate the corporate culture? How do we build a resilient, sustainable company?

The key to these core issues in organisations, is found in building a high‐performance culture. The culture of an organisation is the principal source of its competitive advantage and brand differentiation.

We now know that - values‐driven organisations are the most successful organisations on the planet. The reasons for this are simple to decipher.

? Values and behaviors drive culture

? Culture drives employee fulfillment

? Employee fulfillment drives customer satisfaction

? Customer satisfaction drives shareholder value

In both private and public sectors, the key to success—whether it is in terms of employee or customer satisfaction—begins with the values of the organisation. When we speak about “values,” we are talking about the deeply held principles, ideals, or beliefs that people hold or adhere to when making decisions. Individuals express their values though their personal behaviors; organisations express their values through their cultural behaviors ( Reference:Richard Barrett).

would like to know your views and happy to answer any questions!!