Me and We

Individualism has been the name of the game for the past few decades. I am the most important, I want, for me, mine. But this has not always been the case throughout history, as Yuval Noah Harari reminds us in his book Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind (highly recommended reading).

Are we at a turning point, or at least approaching one? Looking both west and east, one might think that this cannot continue for much longer, at least not in what was once considered the democratic West. And what needs to happen for the tide to turn? Will it take a major explosion, or will the cracks and a few containers falling into the sea as the ship turns be enough?

Companies are often, by default, dictatorships. In a pure dictatorship, a narcissistic individual who knows how to flatter at the right moment may thrive. However, the wisest leaders and leadership teams understand that in the long run, different perspectives, a sense of community, and commitment to a shared mission are essential. In nature, biodiversity is a prerequisite for the survival of species as the world and environment evolve. The same applies to business and workplaces. I have had the privilege of coaching organizations where diverse opinions and ideas can be freely expressed without fear. Interaction flows seamlessly across organizational levels and units, and success and well-being feed off each other.

In companies, financial success and workplace well-being do not always go hand in hand. I have heard of leadership teams where those in the highest positions of power seemingly gather to promote the company’s development and growth, while their real priority is advancing their own unit’s or, more precisely, their personal benefit. In such a work environment, the atmosphere can be toxic, even if the company is thriving financially.

The world is constantly changing at an accelerating pace. Major transformations open up vast opportunities for new players while challenging old structures and incumbents. To start a success story, one would need not only a strategic mindset but also a crystal ball or a stroke of luck. While some may try to cement success into permanence, an organic, adaptable structure that leverages and responds to the prevailing circumstances tends to be far more effective.

How can we trust anything when nothing is permanent? Alternative facts and outright lies have become popular tools, even at the highest levels of government. Abandoning honesty and truth can be tempting and even effective when pursuing personal gain, provided that those being led remain ignorant.

Trust is the most crucial element in human interaction and collaboration. And fortunately, in relationships based on voluntary participation – whether with clients or colleagues –deliberate deception or fear-based leadership does not work in the long run.

We Finns are pioneers in meaningful communication. The most important thing is to keep learning, preferably together. The best we can do is to continue raising each other, our children, youth, adults, and elders to be courageous, to think independently, and to engage in dialogue. We live for one another, not just for ourselves. The instinct to help and show empathy may be, at its core, self-serving, but it also stems from the desire to contribute to something greater than ourselves.

Let’s stand together on the side of good.