This year has been a year of changes, divisions, and further splitting of people into opposing groups of hopes and beliefs. It seems that the next few years might not necessarily be better, maybe there will be more opportunities, we will see! I am noticing a lot of struggle with me and a lot of people around me, partly due to the recent ongoing election in my country. I am noticing suffering and big surprises that some of us had. Others probably have their hopes close to coming true. Our world is painful because we cannot accept its power to change and our impermanence. It is not change itself that is painful but our resistance to it. Moreover, we are exporting pain to places like Bangladesh, where our clothes are sewn, or to nature, where we bear responsibility for the incredible destruction of species—and yet we don’t even recognize that animals are capable of suffering. My daughter shared with me one of the optional classes that she enrolled in, and it is called “empathy across species” and I was embarrassed to realize that I never thought that animals could have empathy. We exclude those who suffer from the world of work, confine the elderly to homes, and try to delay death as long as possible. Many people have forgotten that we are part of this world and, therefore, so part of the eternal cycle of becoming, change, and decay. The less we surrender to this reality and the more artificial situations we create to protect ourselves, the more we help what we do not want to see return through the back door—in a different form, often one we have little control over. I am convinced, and shared with you, that to win a “battle” you have to become your enemy, the one that you hated too much. So what value-added, does the win have, Ultimately, we must admit that everything we dislike and everything we believe is beyond our control, was created by us. Talking to some friends, I said that we are all responsible for all the wars that we have now on this planet. And he was quite surprised about my conclusion. In reality, our thoughts, (no) actions, our behavior, ethics, decisions, etc – that we make with each human interaction, are the drivers for the (lack of) life that we live today. There is nothing for which we are not (co-)responsible. This is hard to understand because we have become masters at looking for—and usually finding—responsibility in “others.” How can I live with such responsibility without losing my laughter, cheerfulness, and good sleep? Acceptance of what is, helps us regain these qualities. And doing your part of the work in anything that you believe in. They are essential for changing anything. For some of us, this is a difficult path because daily suffering is not easy to bear. Everything in this world is connected; every person is also a mirror for you. We only have ourselves, and no one will come to save us. Our world is in constant flux; it is born every morning and dies every evening (metaphorically speaking). We assume the world will be the same tomorrow when we wake up as when we go to sleep. This certainty is both necessary and good. Yet, the morning may be different from the evening— for example, what happened with elections here for some of us. The world is not worse in such moments, just different. Taking care of ourselves when necessary, and helping when someone is going through difficult times—are all part of our humanity. Resisting what is, shouting “why, why,” is something we do to keep reality at bay and deny it. It is our frantic attempt to maintain some control over something much greater and wiser than us:Life. Saying “YES” to what is, also allows us to rediscover our laughter and cheerfulness—because why not laugh at things we cannot change anyway? And then go to work, enjoy the Christmas holidays, and all the other things that are on your plate – from this state of being.
Politics and networks at work are aspects of organizational dynamics, but they serve different functions and have distinct characteristics. One of my clients is struggling with that, as he sees both as something negative and wrong. I must confess that I was there too, and when you start doing something to improve and see the first results—you can do things either easier, faster, or better—then you realize that is a choice that might help. If you are doubting those “tools” as well, let me decode them below Workplace Politics Definition: Workplace politics refers to the activities and behaviors employees engage in to gain power, influence decisions, and achieve personal or organizational objectives. It often involves informal, unofficial, and sometimes behind-the-scenes efforts to shape opinions, form alliances, and advance personal or group interests. Characteristics: Examples: Workplace Networks Definition: Workplace networks refer to the web of relationships and connections that employees develop within and outside their organization. These networks can be formal (structured, organizational charts) or informal (personal relationships, mentorships). Characteristics: Examples: Key Differences Conclusion While both politics and networks involve interpersonal interactions and influence within the workplace, politics focuses on power and influence, often through strategic and competitive means, while networks emphasize building relationships for mutual benefit, support, and professional growth. Understanding both dynamics is crucial for navigating organizational life effectively.
What searching for meaning has to do with it? I was wondering, what do you think is your purpose when you lead people? It’s not just about achieving good results—that’s obvious. Do you aim to make your people happy?Do you strive to keep them engaged?Do you feel responsible for solving any issues that may arise? Expanding on the topic, what happens when we don’t understand our role as parents?Are you there solely to make your child happy? Or are you there to prepare them for life, enabling them to become who they want to be? Is the school’s role merely to keep kids happy? Or is it to impart knowledge and teach them how to learn for a lifelong journey? Our role as leaders, parents, or teachers isn’t solely to ensure people’s happiness. It’s to nurture growth. This doesn’t mean we can’t find happiness along the way; it means happiness isn’t the ultimate purpose—growth is. When your people feel inspired by you, it means they perceive you as not overly strict, not neglectful, and not seeking loyalty just because you’re a good person! It means they see your purpose and why you’re there! How do you find your meaning? Many young leaders (or aspiring ones) are on a profound quest for meaning. When they discover it, they’ll have determination, resilience, grit, and boundless energy to pursue it, unstoppable in their mission to change the world. The intention is truly beautiful. Do I find my meaning? Did you find yours?Frankly, I don’t know. Here’s what I’ve learned—STOP SEARCHING and START GIVING. It’s aching to seek a place called heaven on Google Maps. You won’t find it there, not because it doesn’t exist, but because you need to use the right map. Heaven is within, not pinned on Google Maps… Everything you believe is missing is here.Everything you search for outside resides within you.JUST THAT IT MIGHT TAKE YEARS TO REALIZE IT. Let me share a few ideas on how to nurture growth in your team: You can find meaning in everything you do and further help your team and people around you grow together with you! Schedule a meeting here and let’s start this journey together!
Finding Clarity in Complexity Through Emotional Agility One of this year’s discussion topics with leaders was chaos. There’s a part of it in our minds and another in reality. Let’s decode the chaos in reality, as it impacts our mental state. The extent of external influence on the mind varies. Some seek clarity and order—we could call it a “pharmacist mindset”—while others embrace chaos as a… The definition I resonate with is that chaos arises when our minds struggle to make sense or calculate due to complexity or when we lack the senses to connect. No wonder AI is increasingly present; it handles unpredictability and chaos better. Accepting chaos is crucial today. Embracing it reduces anxiety, letting us focus on what we can do instead of expending energy on what we can’t. Enter the Stacey matrix—a simple way to explain chaos, starting with simplicity. It’s Ralph Stacey’s approach to decision-making based on two variables present in any decision: Life isn’t a neatly packaged Hollywood flick. It’s messy. It’s complicated. It’s chaotic. The narratives we craft may falter against reality’s harsh light. In moments of despair, remember our narratives aren’t fixed but fluid. We’re the authors of our stories, shaping our pain into purpose and meaning. When you cannot live in the chaos with fluidity, it’s eating up all your energy. That is why you need to realize this truth and address it somehow. One of the ways to move forward, better, is through emotional agility. Emotional Agility at Work Empathy fatigue” or “compassion fatigue” isn’t caused by having “too much” compassion or empathy. Dialing back empathy when exhausted perpetuates burnout rather than reducing it. We need to nurture our innate connections with others instead of numbing ourselves. Rather than suppressing empathy, enhancing emotional management skills like self-care, setting boundaries, and understanding our sphere of influence can help combat this fatigue. You can read more about emotional management here. Becoming more compassionate involves noticing moments when we unintentionally withhold compassion. Sometimes, we’re so absorbed in our thoughts that we miss chances to care for ourselves and others. It’s the small gestures—taking on extra chores to support an anxious spouse or reaching out to a lonely friend in a new city—that truly make a difference. I will give you a few tips and tricks on how to exercise and develop your empathy and compassion: Let’s strive to enhance our empathy and compassion by recognizing these opportunities in our daily lives! And let’s move on with fluidity through chaos! You can actively develop your emotional skills with me! Schedule a meeting here and let’s start this journey together!