The trip to New York that trumped how I think about people....and strengthened my resolve.

"You are going to New York for the US election? Really?? Why are you doing that?"

It was destined to be a trip of a lifetime. A quick venture over to New York for the Presidential election of 2016. No matter which way the American people voted, it would be something I would never forget. Ain't that the truth.

There I was, settled into a luxurious New York roof top bar on Fifth Avenue. The CNN suits sitting directly in front of my friends and I as we enjoyed the best view of the CNN election night coverage on the big screen in front of us, while the New York skyline and Empire State Building shining in red, white and blue glory was to our right. The stage was set for a monumental night in history. Ain't that the truth.

As the results were broadcast, the mood on the rooftop changed from a sense of excited anticipation to foreboding disbelief. Is this for real? I mean - seriously for real? I was not only watching the crowd of despondent New Yorkers for their reactions, but I also kept an eye on social media to watch how the rest of the world was absorbing what had been considered as an unfathomable outcome unfold. And I found myself becoming not only extremely sad, but extremely angry.

The jokes started pretty quickly about how the UK were no longer officially the stupidest nation in the world. My fellow Australians were quick to judge the American people, with a somewhat self-righteous pleasure and pride in our nations' values. At a personal level, I felt a sense of despair that surprised me. This is a global contagion - it's not just the UK or the USA. This type of thinking is rife at home as well. Why are we losing our sense of humanity to each other? Why are people so scared of each other? Why has this protectionism gained such traction that I feel such sadness at what is happening to the human condition?

As a psychologist I felt something different.

One of the first psychological theories I remember learning at university came to the forefront of my mind. In 1943, Abraham Maslow wrote a paper titled "A Theory of Human Motivation". In this paper he asserted that humans need to have their "lower level needs" such as food, shelter, safety and security met before they evolve to being motivated by higher level needs such as a sense of belonging, love, and ultimately self-actualisation and selflessness.

The horror of 9/11 along with the extreme breach of trust created from the GFC, has threatened our world's physical and financial safety and security in ways that was previously incomprehensible, and has had profound impacts on the human condition. The basic human needs of safety and security were ripped away from the western world, and it appears a large portion of the evolution of the human condition tumbled with it. As evidenced by global trends of democracy in action in 2016.

So what does all this mean for those of us who see our life's purpose being connected to or leading the growth, safety and evolution of the human condition?

It means we must remember the basics. We must truly listen to our clients, our teams and our organisations to ensure they feel their basic needs are being heard, and being met. We must ask if our clients, our teams and our organisations feel safe and secure, and we must build trust that on asking these questions, we will take action to remedy and address their fears to enable their evolution, their potential and their growth to unfold. We must not assume our clients, our teams and our organisations remain as evolved as they used to be just because they were "once upon a time". Building a sustainable sense of safety and security for humans requires vigilance, persistence and focus.

My holiday to New York for the Presidential election highlighted to me that the human condition is in a fragile place right now. And it needs all of us who are fortunate enough to be able to provide it with nurturing to strengthen our resolve, remember the basics and don't leave anyone behind..... Ain't that the truth.