Why We Need to Change Our Language in Organizations
Hello Community Members,
I believe by organizing differently that we can solve the challenges of our time.
The invitation to bring humanity back into our organizations is a key to healthy organizations. It can help to unlock our collective wellbeing which can create more belonging, meaning, and purpose in our organizations.
As such, I have been reconsidering some of the language that we use at the Awakened Company. Some language that has always caused me to cringe is the term Human Resources – and Human Assets. Humans are not resources, nor assets; we are human beings.
I wrote about this in the Awakened Company book.
At the Awakened Company, we help organizations create “Strategies with Soul.” Yet, upon reflecting on the historical origins of the term “strategy” rooted in warfare, we acknowledge the need for a more meaningful and real approach. We love to help companies build healthy organizational cultures.
All organizations we work with are forces for good – they are trying to solve a human and/or planetary challenge. While recognizing the significance of understanding the competitive landscape, we are now shifting our perspective towards the term “maps,” encompassing organizational maps and the pathways to success guided by an organization’s inner compass (such as values) and a true north star (external focus such as vision).
As well, we are not allies to our clients – we are something far more profound – we are champions. Champions for the highest good of leaders, relationships, and teams.
So how can we all be champions for the best in everyone?
Drawing from Wisdom Traditions, Practical Insights, and rigorous Business Research, here's our guide to recalibrating when organizational and personal roadmaps go astray:
Wisdom Traditions
Here are some ways to bring humanity back into your organization:
Joy: I often see this as a missing ingredient in organizations. Plan celebrations: celebrations of milestones met, birthdays, random moments of success.
Peace: Weave mindfulness practices such as a body scan into your meetings and movement breaks.
Connection: Before you send an email consider that the person is sitting right in front of you, and make a connection with them prior to writing that email.
Practical Know-How
Here are some practical ways to bring humanity into your organization:
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Business Research
Here are some learnings from business research:
Create and build a living map and compass. We see many organizations put away their “strategic” plan when they get financial funding. What can you do to keep it alive? We suggest tracking your organization based on Energizing (vision, metrics, celebrations), Sustaining (values, connection, structure), and Regeneration (peace, innovation, and creativity).
Consider people first. ? Consider what is the smallest thing you can do to create a positive culture within your organization.
Cultivate a Culture of Learning and Creativity. ? Everyone is creative. Consider what ways you can cultivate creativity in your organization. Here is an article – we love the idea of deciding not to decide, to wrap space around your decision making process.
Julie Burstein’s 4 Lessons in Creativity
Some of Julie Burstein’s lessons: Pay attention to the space around us. Be open to it. Use the parts of us that are difficult, experience challenge and humiliation, and consider what we are learning. Also?to have passionate optimism!!!
By integrating these insights from Wisdom Traditions, Practical Know-How, and Business Research, we can solve the challenges of our time. I believe the possibilities for humanity are endless and that our brokenness and wholeness is beautiful.
Perhaps our redefining strategy is like the gold in the broken bowl at the end of the video. We can become more beautiful by seeing what doesn’t work and create something more gorgeous.
Invitation to investigate the words and approaches we use, and to stay committed to the journey of being present.
For now,
Catherine R Bell, MBA
Founder?
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