What if the assumptions that we’ve built most of our systems around are wrong?
Kim Seeling Smith, Business Futurist, CSP, CVP, VMP
Motivational Keynote Speaker @Kim Seeling Smith | AI, The Future of Work, Leadership, Culture
I recently heard a mind-blowing podcast where Ezra Klein interviewed Rutger Bregman about the nature of human beings. Bregman asserts that, based on anthropological research of nomadic hunter/gatherer civilizations, ancient humans were not violent, as we have been taught to believe.
He says that the research shows ‘survival of the fittest’ for our species actually means survival of the most friendly and collaborative.
He extrapolates this research to form a view that, left to their own devices, most people will do what’s right and will help and support others.
Yet, if you think about it, most of the systems that we’ve built for society and in our workplaces assume the opposite.
I could talk about how this assumption plays out with the very real challenges we are facing with our criminal justice and school systems, but those are beyond my area of expertise.
So, I’m going to stick to my lane and look at our people systems.
The systems we have used for centuries to hire and manage staff are based on compliance and control and the underlying assumption is that employees cannot be trusted.
But what if we started with Bregman’s assumption of the nature of humans. How could we re-imagine our systems then?
This is an area I’ll be exploring over the next few weeks, so I’d like to hear from you. How do you think our systems could be different if we designed them with the underlying assumption that people are naturally good, collaborative, want to add value and want to do the right thing by others?
Type your ideas in the comments box or DM me. I look forward to hearing from you.
I will also tie this post to the one I wrote yesterday on the great debate occurring worldwide about continuing to work from home even as restrictions are lifted.
Leadership Development, Speaking & Executive Coaching | I'll Help You Navigate Change and Take Action | Author and Media Commentator | Work with me in 2025
4 年Thanks Kim Seeling Smith, CSP yes their is a great deal of interesting research emerging about our evolutionary past. Many myths being debunked. Why? Because there is more diversity in scientific research recently - diversity of gender, race and thought. The vast majority of our culture has been created by a system determined to keep certain people in power and everyone else in a support role. You need a lot of control for that and you need to control the narratives driven by all the societal codes. There is so much more - which I talk about in my book.
Quality Manager at Microba
4 年There is nothing fundamentally difficult about building an organisation which has systems based on Darwinian principles where collaboration and support were "survival" traits. Done properly, it could also support the "rugged individualist", the "loner" and the "socially awkward". Many existing models seem to be based on the idea that each individual is a different species that has to compete for resources.
Winner - Best International Keynote Speaker (Asia Pacific) ?? Resilience, Leadership and Mindset Presentations and Programs for Dealing Better with Change and Unpredictable Business Challenges.
4 年I love this idea of the 'survival of the most friendly and collaborative'. What a different world we would be in if we all priortised this Kim Seeling Smith, CSP
?? Communication & Connection Keynote Speaker | LinkedIn Top Communication Voice | Non Executive Director | Author | GAICD | MMgt | BComm |
4 年What an intriguing idea... I’m compelled to read on
Helping people get heard at work | Speaker | Author | Communication Dynamics Expert
4 年Brilliant topic! People would work from anywhere, anytime they like, toward important and compelling goals they've created in line with the company. They would be trusted to get great work done, reach out for help when needed, and self manage their own needs around their life-kids, projects, side hustles, sabbatical, whatever. Can you imagine?? Utopia.