The MW Newsletter is a long-form resource whose aim is to bring substance and insight to your work and life. We are pleased to introduce a new format to the Newsletter. The artist and scholar Giacomo Savani will create artwork for each issue with a meditation on its significance for a meaningful life and work. We thought the artistic contributions would resonate well with current organizational interests in the role of objects and identity. It's largely based on a philosophical field called critical theory which takes the human relation to objects as the basis of identity formation. Organizations are trying to find ways where their employees can become more engaged through practices that involve identity formation through a relation to specific objects — such as art, a wild setting, or biographical artifacts. Dr Todd Mei Editor & Founder of Philosophy2u |
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Content for July 2024 Our focus this month is Resources of the Self. What are Resources of the Self? Practice: Harnessing Personal Power Ideation: The Great Self Identity: Climate Chaos
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What Are Resources of the Self? “The issue of our condition can never be exhausted by what we are, because we are always changing and becoming. . . . So the issue for us has to be not only where we are, but where we're going. . . . That is why the absolute question always frames our relative ones.”
Charles Taylor, Sources of the Self * * * * *
The idea of Resources of the Self is that the whole of our person, which includes our character, intellect, emotional intelligence, past experiences, and technical knowledge, is a source for meeting and resolving whatever life throws at us.
Our character features go a long way in forming who we are according to dispositions and habits. They enable us to act in certain ways and often without having to think. Courage is a classical example of a character feature when someone puts themselves in harm's way to help another. Intellect and emotional intelligence form a balance between conceptual understanding and affectative awareness of how we and others feel. It's not just about being right about things but also respecting how one may feel or react and how others may do so in return. Past experiences form the bedrock of learning, in terms of lessons learned through trial and error and also the tacit knowledge of how things work that arises by doing and acting — how we negotiate with others, understand gestures and innuendos, how to direct ourselves under changing situations involving different etiquette. Technical knowledge is knowing how to do something that can be taught to others and tends to have a universal way of doing so. Playing an instrument, changing the oil for a car, playing a sport, and even practicing medicine are forms of what the ancient Greeks grouped under the classification of techne. So, if the self is a source, why am I referring to it as a resource? Simply because, all that has been described as sources of the self has to be re-applied as we live. We can't simply take what we've learned or who we are and think a broad and general application will work every time or suit each unique situation. Resources of the self refer to the interpretive or hermeneutical processes where we take what we are and what we know and re-apply them appropriately as each situation demands. In this issue of the MW Newsletter, Joe Smart will explore re-applications in terms of Harnessing Personal Power, Todd Mei in terms of the philosophical concept of being "Great in Soul", and Giacomo Savani in terms of Climate Chaos. |
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Practice: Harnessing Personal Power for Effective Transformation This month, I want to share some thoughts on a topic that’s been on my mind for quite some time: personal power. It may sound broad, but it’s incredibly relevant to the significant changes we strive to make in our professional and personal lives. Often, the only energy we have to make things happen comes from within ourselves. Let's delve into this concept and explore three key insights that I've gathered over the years. 1. The Power of Personal Energy As a teacher, I've always been fascinated by the way we transmit knowledge. Think about it: when we’re teaching a class, we don’t rely on external tools like electricity or fuel. Instead, we depend on our enthusiasm, our ability to explain topics in engaging ways, and our energy to keep our students interested. This personal energy is a vital resource. It’s the internal power that we use to make sure the knowledge transfer process is effective and impactful. The same concept applies to sales. Whether you’re selling a product, an idea, or a concept, your personal conviction and passion are what persuade your customers. It’s your internal drive that convinces others of the value of what you’re offering. In organizational development, which is closer to my experience, this use of self is crucial. We often guide organizations through significant changes, relying heavily on our personal drive and motivation. This intrinsic energy is like an internal power source, akin to electricity or coal, fueling our ability to influence and drive results. 2. Transformation Requires More than Incremental Change Let’s talk about transformation. In many fields, we aim for incremental improvements—small, gradual changes that make existing systems or processes better. However, transformational changes involve radical shifts that fundamentally alter how things are done, leading to significantly better outcomes. Take healthcare, for example. Traditionally, you’d call up your GP for any health issue. Now, thanks to transformational changes in primary care, you might speak directly to a specialist like a paramedic, psychologist, or physiotherapist. This approach ensures that patients receive the most appropriate care quickly, rather than being referred from one generalist to another. Such radical changes require the driving force of personal power from the professionals involved. It’s this personal energy that helps navigate the complexities and push through significant barriers. |
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3. Well-being as a Business Priority In our fast-paced world, well-being is often seen as a luxury. But I believe it’s essential for maintaining our personal power. In a knowledge economy, where our primary asset is our use of self, well-being should be a business priority. Ensuring we get enough sleep, proper nutrition, and physical activity are foundational to sustaining the energy needed for high performance. I often ponder what activities recharge my energy and treat these activities as essential business tasks. For instance, taking my dog for a walk on a Saturday morning isn’t just a pleasant activity; it’s crucial for setting me up for the week. Similarly, meditating or finding reflective space shouldn’t be pushed aside for other tasks because these activities contribute significantly to our ability to perform effectively in demanding environments. For me, participating in historical martial arts (HEMA) is a perfect example of this principle. It’s a selfish activity, allowing me to focus entirely on myself, unlike my work where I’m constantly considering others. HEMA helps me recharge by engaging parts of my personality that I don’t typically use in my family or work life. This balance is essential for maintaining my personal power and ensuring I’m ready to tackle professional challenges. Maintaining and Recharging Personal Power Reflecting on personal power, I realize it’s not just about using energy but also about recharging it. This week, I worked with a transformation team dealing with complex, multi-faceted challenges. In such environments, the use of self—personal energy and drive—is critical for pushing forward. To maintain this energy, I encourage everyone to treat well-being as a priority. Ask yourself what activities help you recharge. Speak to friends and family if you’re unsure; they often have insights into what energizes you and what drains you. For me, well-being practices are non-negotiable. Whether it’s a walk, meditation, or engaging in a hobby like HEMA, these activities are as important as any business meeting because they ensure I’m operating at my best. ~ In conclusion, personal power is an indispensable resource in our professional and personal lives. By leveraging our intrinsic energy, understanding the difference between incremental and transformational change, and prioritizing well-being, we can harness our personal power to drive significant change and achieve remarkable outcomes. This holistic approach not only enhances individual performance but also contributes to the broader success of our organizations and initiatives. So, take a moment to reflect on what energizes you and make it a priority. Your personal power is your greatest asset, and maintaining it is essential for achieving your goals. Thank you for joining me on this exploration of personal power. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and continuing this conversation next week. Take care. Joseph Smart OD&D Consultant, Smart Joseph Consulting joe@smartjoseph.com |
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Ideation:The Great Self The Great Self is one whose greatness lies not only in its capabilities to do but also its capacity to give to others. There is a unique combination of generosity and leadership that can make for extraordinary relationships, transforming how people see themselves and how they work with others. I've worked with someone like this only once in my life, and I think it is a very rare quality in people. Each of us has a portion of it, and it can shine through at moments. However, for it to be present consistently in a person . . . well, once you've seen it displayed, you never forget it. Aristotle refers to the person who possesses such attributes completely as megalopsuchos, which translates awkwardly into English as a person who has a great soul. There is a fair amount of scholarly controversy as to what Aristotle means by this term. For some, the idea of such an exemplar reduces to a form of elitism. Notwithstanding this concern, there is nonetheless something very constructive that one can take away from Aristotle's concept. A person of great soul is a kind of advocate for other people. Think of megalopsuchos as a virtuous enabler whose ability to give and lead helps others not only succeed in what they are doing but also gain a new perspective on what it means to do and live well. |
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My recollection of the person who I thought was great in soul? He had a remarkable quality of leadership that was competent yet supportive. In times when the threat of physical harm was looming, he exuded confidence and grace yet without being self-concerned. One of his favorite quotes was from the teacher, scholar, and author Joseph Campbell: "People say that what we’re all seeking is a meaning for life. I don’t think that’s what we’re really seeking. I think that what we’re seeking is an experience of being alive, so that our life experiences on the purely physical plane will have resonances with our own innermost being and reality, so that we actually feel the rapture of being alive." I think that a core feature of my friend's life was instilling and inspiring others to seek an experience of being alive. His capacity to lead was inclusive, inviting others to share in the moment. It was infectious and exhilarating. I refer to this in terms of generosity because it is a kind of leadership that gives to others so they can participate and, in doing so, discover more about themselves. And this appears to be very much in keeping with the ancient Greek idea of soul (psuche), whose defining feature is a distinctive capacity of being actively engaged with others and one's surrounding. By Aristotle's account being rich in soul would involve what we today describe in terms of mindfulness. By contrast, someone who simply goes through the motions of the day without thinking or reflecting would be poor in soul. But there is also more to the ancient Greek idea of soul than mindfulness. Soul is active. Its natural extension is from the mindful focus on things to an elaborate form of doing, or what moral philosophers like to refer to in terms of practice. The key transformative contribution of megalopsuchos is that their practice gives to other people. It helps others to practice the good life. And this is where things get interesting. Many of us have benefitted from the giving of others. One may not be "great souled" but may have benefitted from one who is. The question, at least for me, is "How does one give thanks for this?" Perhaps by passing on what one has received from another. And what if that derived more from a sense of obligation as opposed to a kind option? I like to think that would entail a momentous cultural transformation for both society and organizations. If you'd like to continue this conversation, please reach out. Dr Todd Mei Founder and Consultant for Philosophy2u tsmei@philosophy2u.com |
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Ideation:Climate Chaos __________________ by Dr Giacomo Savani _____________________________ |
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In the autumn of 2019, I was organizing a workshop called Antiquity and the Anthropocene and remember doing a lot of reading about the ongoing climate crisis. I remember the growing feeling of despair that was slowly getting hold of me, day after day. I was overwhelmed, my mental well-being was significantly affected, and I needed a way out. So, I started working on a series of digital paintings where I tried to convey some of the turmoil of feelings I was going through. This one, entitled Climate Chaos, is one of them and reflects the sensation of feeling off balance which the possibility of the abyss can generate. ~ Dr Giacomo Savani, Assistant Professor in Ancient History, University of Leeds (UK). https://www.giacomosavani.com/ |
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