The global economy in a cultural - spiritual shift

When we look at how things are changing in our world, one term recurring almost daily is the word global. Otto Scharmer (2007) defines:

“A world economy is an economy in which capital accumulation proceeds throughout the world.  By contrast a global economy in an economy with the capacity to work as a single unit in real time on a planetary order.”

If we accept this definition, we are probably currently living in a more and more worldwide economy than in a real global economy. Exceptions might be seen in large global companies operating in many parts of the planet and following the same goals and approach everywhere. Still, I don’t believe as society or across the majority of economic activity we are really global just yet.

What has become global much in the way described by Thomas Friedman some years ago is the access to information. The world wide web allows almost anybody for very little to no cost to exchange information and have access to the most modern data in the planet.

As always, there is a dark side to this affect. Again Otto Scharmer (2007) has this to say:
“Those in the networked society who are not equipped with the right kinds of knowledge, skills, and networks are socially excluded ad polarized.”
In Castells’ ‘End of he Millennium’ manual this is called the “black hole of informational capitalism”.

It almost may appear as if the changes described here are only focused on industrial activity and the flow of capital. In reality, what is really almost more important is the change in society when it comes to participation in all these changes. People across all cultures realize that their world is changing and want to be involved. They voice their opinions, using the global information network, and they trigger reactions and the formation of new ideas across all cultures.

In addition, people who have the freedom to choose where they want to live, generate their income and be creative have been shown to congregate in certain geographic areas. Richard Florida calls this the rise of the creative class when focused on the United States, and the flight of the creative class when looked at on a global scale.

In a nutshell Florida proclaims that the difference between those people in the creative class and those outside of it lies in what they are getting paid to do. Individuals in the traditional working class and services industries are paid to follow directions and be managed. The creative class on the other hand is paid to come up with creative ideas and new solutions. To do so, they are afforded more flexibility, autonomy and freedom. That’s where developments like flexible work schedules, work form home, telecommuting have their origin. It’s hard to be creative from 9-5 in a cubicle.

While it is relatively easy to follow the ideas of Richard Florida regarding creativity, the aspect of spirituality as it applies to this contact is a little harder nut to crack. Otto Scharmer (2007) writes about it:

“Spirituality can be defined as the source of our creativity. It is distinct from religion for it concerns experience and not belief systems. A spiritual revival is sweeping across America ‘as executives of all stripes incorporate mysticism into their management, importing into office corridors the lessons usually doled out in churches, temples, and mosques”.

These kinds of spiritual aspects are more concerned with personal mastery than with religion of any kind. I have previously defined mastery as the sum of life experience and tangible action, like performing a trait. The other kind of mastery would be called wisdom and is defined as the sum of knowledge and life experience. From a personal conversation with McKinsey & Company Otto Scharmer recalls: …that both can lead to “overcoming significant performance thresholds …not only for individuals, but for the team as a whole.” (U-Theory, 2007)

For me this all points to aspects of passion. To be creative, free, innovative, and happy, we need to be passionate about something. We need to fully understand what the issue or goal is and then begin to participate I finding solutions. That leads back to the idea of the blank canvas or the untouched piece of wood or marble, soon to become a beautiful sculpture. It is more than reflecting about something that has already happened – it is truly the participation and shaping of the emergence of the future.

What we at AMC LLC can do in all of this is help anybody interested in our help to learn what they really want to achieve, what they are really passionate, and which areas of the personality are standing in the way to reach the goals related to the passion a person feels inside or may discover when allowed to dream. We call the latter option the fairy dust experiment, where we invite individuals to imagine they had a jar with fairy dust and could use it to shape the future in any way they like.

By assessing the current situation, identifying the current roadblocks to success and the things one wants to achieve, we can be of great help into a more complete, spiritual, fulfilling and passionate future. The first step is to take action by completing our online questionnaire. The result will tell us how far on the path to success someone has already come and what might be in the way in the form of obstacles to reach the long term goals. Armed with that knowledge we can help to overcome the obstacles, move them out of the way, and/or shining a light onto what is possible and reachable.

If you like to take the first step, visit us at www.MyPerformanceIQ.com and use the link to the free assessment.

I hope to meet you there and provide you with a free introductory session to our amazing programs.

Axel Meierhoefer, President AMC LLC