During our lifetime we may be fortunate enough to receive lenses that provide deep understandings of how things work. Those insights provide models of continuous learning that inform, nourish and sustain us. As a Noble Peace Prize winner said, “It felt like god had revealed a small part of how the universe worked’ adding he was not a religious man.
The point is what has been seen cannot be unseen. Such meta understandings help us on our pathway towards enlightenment. Of course, humility and openness are key ingredients to ensure ongoing learning, otherwise we run the risk of becoming dogmatic zealots.
The meta model of understanding human capability, work and the evolution of human value systems were such lenses. What a fantastic journey that has proven to be – it led me to interview and analyse the most interesting people, and allowed me to assist many and diverse enterprises. These lenses have stood me instead over multiple decades.
I also know that those lenses have been shared when I hear others encouraging their teams saying these lenses will alter their worldview and help their careers. Mark Milliner, Ian Stone and Jacki Johnson were the most recent. Thank you for the affirmation in understanding. Now as Billy Boyd says, I must bid you farewell and in closing I would like to offer you the following insights;
- Work is a treadmill, but with different and exciting carrots on offer. Fast, fun and challenging. Our work journey is driven by our deep need to actualize.
Our need to be of value is enduring.
- Work can be very satisfying, but while our capability is the driver, our current mode of transport is an old outdated dinosaur called capitalism. There are no free rides, and no one is exempt from travel. It is not a felt fair system and is a value detractor. As Muhammad Yunus says, future business will need a social license to operate.
- A consultant is a role with accountability and no authority.
- Work that detracts from planetary, regional and local sustainability cannot be tolerated or supported. Irreversible damage is caused by companies and governments that have lost their ability to regulate for the common good of all -we need right work.
- Consulting has allowed me to travel and work in many different and exotic places.
- As a road warrior I have been equipped with the latest tools of the trade as they evolved… but the problem is my e-wastage mound grows. Full value chain accountability is needed.
- Consulting has given me time to lead a personally rich lifestyle and get to know my kids – a real blessing… there was a financial sacrifice, but it was worth it.
“My partner (also a consultant) and I agreed that one parent would always be fully present for the kids (we now have three beautiful adults). We took it in turns.”
- It has allowed me to write and publish two books, the third an adventure which sits on the cusp of the new journey and provides a segue to the new future.
- The right mentors come when the pupil is ready for them. Gillian Stamp, Don Beck, Malcolm Hollick, Robin Mills – thank you for believing in me.
- It has led me to renounce the “short-termism” of the free market system, especially greed.
The word ENOUGH does not exist in business vocabulary. There can never be ENOUGH!
- I have lost faith in accountability. I see too many overwhelmed, overpaid and incompetent leaders escaping censure.
- I am grateful to all my clients who believe in us and were willing to experiment with us.
- Relationships are frail and need constant tending, trusting and sometimes clear tasking.
- Look after your networks, friends and family. Also members of the same family are often not born under the same roof.
- Thank you to my current team, I am privileged to work with Adam Thompson, Tim Levett, Verena MacLean, Bruce Whitby, Samantha MacDonald, Tanya Brockmeier, Amanda Johnson , Brent Sheridan and Sam Wilkinson.
- In retrospect, although it did not feel like it at the time, I have learnt more when I have failed or been in conflict.
- My corporate consulting journey has driven my need to understand other ways we could better organise, for fairer and more just outcomes for all, not just a select few.
The transition beckons.
I have seen a different world, running on a different operating system and that is now my Call to Adventure. What is seen, cannot be unseen.
Aluta Continua!!
