The Power of Me in We & We in Me

Last week, we explored the limitations of collectivism and individualism . This week we delve into the power of amalgamation. By harnessing the strengths of both collectivism and individualism, we can transition to a new world order and thrive, despite roles being rapidly replaced by technology.

In adversity, businesses are only as strong as their people and connections.

School prepares us to fear failure, yet life teaches us that failure is the only way to learn and move forward.

At the core of businesses are its people and the connections they make.

People run the company.

Connections drive the business.

Businesses run cohesively when everyone is independent (individualism) and interdependent (collectivism). Independence requires us to be empowered while interdependence requires belonging.

• People achieve their deepest fulfillment through helping others. True empowerment stems from the significance of our work, whether it impacts us personally, our organization, our family, or society at large.
• To belong means to be in a place where our social needs are met. This includes feeling appreciated and accepted, having meaningful connections, receiving support (personally and professionally), feeling safe enough to voice our opinions and concerns, and sharing common goals and values with others.

When we belong, we are empowered.

When we are empowered, we belong.

This is a beautiful symbiotic relationship, however, falls apart when one element is out of balance...

Many corporations strip us from empowerment or belonging.

Roles become hyper-specific, stripping us of creativity; office politics stifles many meaningful connections from forming; and people are reduced to input/ output metrics.

This burns us out, affecting everyone in and around us. Why? Because we are taught to be producers while discarding anything that makes us remotely human. Since birth, schools have taught us to be followers, not leaders and it's lead to the proliferation of bad actors- apathetic/ jaded employees, nepotism, and individuals with self-serving agendas, just to name a few.

Globally, jobs are being rapidly replaced by advancing technology. This shift is forcing individuals to adapt which requires a balance of individualism and collectivism.

1. Individualism emphasizes self-reliance, fostering innovation and creativity. With the rise of the Information Age, corporations are warming up to the importance of creative thinking to resolve needs within organizations. Creatives maximize efficiency by identifying and resolving problems proactively.
2. Collectivism emphasizes group cohesion, fostering collaboration, mutual support, and a sense of belonging. As AI replaces more roles, soft skills are becoming a necessity. We will rely more on the individuals for creative work, but the success of that work requires teamwork, leadership, communication, and time management-some of the many skills required to survive the Information Age.

In this new era, "being human" is our greatest asset. By balancing individualism and collectivism, we can create workplaces that not only survive but thrive. Empowered individuals who belong to the greater whole drive innovation and builds a symbiotic network. As a byproduct, this creates resilient organizations, capable of navigating the challenges of an automated future.

In conclusion, the future of work lies in our ability to adapt and evolve, both on a micro and macro level. By embracing both individualism and collectivism, we can ensure that technology enhances our humanity rather than diminishing it. As we move forward, we must recognize that our greatest strength lies in being independently empowered, collectively interconnected, and driving towards a shared vision, filled with personal fulfillment and collective progress.