Focus = Results

In sustainability allocation meetings where I work the CEO frequently states that we must have focus in order to have an impact. I feel this wisdom applies across the board: to achieve anything we must dedicate focused resources. Incentives help focus employees efforts to achieve objectives. Promotions direct customer behavior to impact the bottom-line. Knowing what you want to achieve, in simple terms, is the best first step to getting there; focusing incentives is the next.

As mentioned in my previous post, I recently read “Radical Evolution” which discusses the relationship we humans have with our technology. We have developed extraordinary technology that would have boggled the minds of us looking forward from a few decades ago. The author, Joel Garreau, mentions GRIN (genetic, robotic, information and nano) technologies that have re-shaped us and our world. We are reaching a crucial point where our technology may be smarter than us (I delegate most of my work to software programs every day to support my decisions on the amount of inventory to carry because programs can do the background calculations more effectively than I can) which would drastically alter the human/technology relationship. He proposes various scenarios including technology enhancing our lives so much we basically live forever and never have to work since technology does that for us to the opposite when technology out smarts us and eliminates us as we are no longer necessary. There is also a Prevail option where technology enhances our ability to come together as humans and a Transcend scenario where we surprise ourselves as a species and make incredible leaps in enhancing our humanity.

I believe the Transcend Scenario is the best possible outcome – and believe it is possible. I am involved with some interesting groups who are deeply committed to evolving to find greater health, wisdom and happiness through inquiry, movement and nutrition (yes, all natural – weird for these times, I know). There are some inspiring 80-yr olds in a couple of the groups! Healthier people make healthier decisions – this is good for humanity and the planet.

In the shift study also mentioned below I believe we will see more emphasis on empowerment (de-centralized teams, servant leadership, products that are actually good for people and the environment). As Al Gore mentions in order for companies to survive in the long-term they will have to be sustainable – environmentally and socially. If we dedicate as many resources to developing humanity as we do to developing technology we can expect the same exponential growth in the humanity of our race.

How? Focus and incentives (good place to start).

Practice: I enjoy 40-day practices where for a full 40 days I focus time every day to something I am developing. My current practice is simplification – donating clothes, throwing away paperwork, deleting emails and dedicating time to simple things. This is a freeing way to find space and clarity. By eliminating what I don’t need I have more time for what I truly want. The dark cold days of winter are a good time for this cleaning out and introspection. What is it that you want in the world? How can you create the incentives to use the power of your organization to achieve this?

The Big Shift

An interesting bit of work going on looking into the long-term shift in the business climate: Measuring the Big Shift.

Other recommended reading: Radical Evolution, The Post-American World and The Great Turning.