“What on earth is Conscious Business?” It was over a year ago now that Jeroen Maes and I sat down to explore how to collaborate on an online project to explore that very question. Being good friends, and sharing a passion for new ways of doing and being in business, the ideas just seemed to flow out of us right from the start. We were joined last summer by Jeroen’s business partner, and also a good friend of ours; Diederick Janse. Together we set off down the path of building something…

We got inspired, and we got stuck. We worked hard, and we let it slip. We got encouragement, we got criticism. But throughout, we stuck like glue to the real burning question we all shared – how can business be a vehicle for genuine global transformation? This series is the culminations of those ideas.

So, as a kick-off to this blog, and the series in general, let me take some time to tell you a little more about why we created the series, what we hope to achieve through hosting it, and all the things that we’re inviting you to co-create with us along the way.

We are idealists. We have this intensely passionate, and of course, utterly idealistic belief that the world can be changed, and that we have some role to play in this change. Each through our different routes, we have arrived at the workplace as the arena in which we feel called to contribute to this transformation. I had to traverse the world of performing arts for years until I realised that it sapped my creativity, and that business was the thing that really excited me. Jeroen and Diederick took their own route through business school and the world of consulting. For their story, you can check out this video of them talking with philosopher Ken Wilber.

So why did we create this series? Well, we are just totally curious to explore what on earth Conscious Business is! We have some ideas. But we have even more questions.

We also created this series in a very deliberate way that perhaps runs counter to the conventional wisdom on these things. And I want to tell you as transparently as I can about why we did it in the way we did.

We could have created another one of those teleseminars series that promises to give you the tools to triple your bottom line, and find the secret to the life you really want to live while at the same time being totally ethical, sustainable and conscious. To be honest though, we don’t really know how to do that. Even more importantly though,  we don’t think that’s the biggest acupuncture point, or indeed, the way to really create a new way of doing business.

We could have made a series promising to give you all the answers. But for us, there are bigger questions.

What is the new version of business that wants to emerge in the world? What does it look like, and feel like? What is the role of work in the 21st century, anyway? What really works and has massive impact, and what doesn’t? What feels like it resonates deep down inside, and what feels like a sheep-like joining of the indomitable conscious band-wagon?

Does business even need to become more conscious at all, or is it ok just as it is? What are the questions that the 21st century is asking us? How do we live, and how do we work in ways that can truly address those questions?

We don’t know. But we’re totally psyched about finding out, and committing fully to everything that the journey entails.

And this is where you come in. We’re pretty damned sure that no-one of us can see the entire big picture, but we do have the questions that we think will invite the type of conversations that may reveal this bigger picture.

You will have your own questions, and we invite you to bring them to the table. Challenge us, and help us challenge the speakers. Get curious about what business is, and what it could be. Bring your enthusiasm, and bring your scepticism. Bring your success stories, and bring your struggles. Bring whatever it is you feel called to bring, in service of the exploration of how we can wake up the workplace, and maybe even change the world.

If we do that, I think we’re in for a ride!

Why don’t we start right now? What are your burning questions? What do you think we need in order to wake up the workplace to its full and glorious potential?

Comment below and we can get this conversation rolling…

 

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Thanks for sharing these. It’s always inspiring to come across businesses that are making a positive contribution to the world, one community at a time.
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Is that correct, June 1st?? https://goo.gl/Uf5Zqw
Hey everybody; I originate from the universe of training and social administrations - the non-benefit area. I am at present instructing in a junior college and leading a division of Community, Family and Child Studies. So my enthusiasm for Waking Up the Workplace originates from a marginally distinctive edge. As scholarly establishments move more toward plans of action, exactly what are those models we are attempting to imitate? In what manner would we be able to in the educated community figure out how to lead from the future as it rises and all the more critically make importance and reason in life? Much obliged for giving this chance to such invigorating discussion. Marry Green
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Thanks for putting this together. It looks great. I don't, however, see a time for the call on anything posted or received by e-mail.
1 reply · active 499 weeks ago
Hello Marlita and others,

The Calls will take place every Thursday at 8pm CET, which is 7pm GMT, 3pm Eastern time and 12pm Pacific time.
Thanks for your feedback. Sorry for the inconvenience! We're working on creating a schedule with dates and times. It is not mentioned on the website yet.

Jeroen
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Beautiful Jennifer - so glad that you're feeling helped by this :)
Great question Ralf. I think being a part of a community of people who share your path is SO central to success in creating conscious workplaces. Philosopher Ken Wilber articulates this beautifully by saying that the 'centre of gravity' of a particular culture's consciousness and values have a huge impact on our ability to act and be. If the centre of gravity is lower than our own, then it drags us back, but conversly if we form communities of like minded people, we can nurture our own small centre's of gravity which help pull us further up.

So, I say - jump in! All you need is one other person and you've got a small community. Start from there and share your dreams and struggles.

Brain reserch is showing that the thing that regulates the brain is emotion. Unstable emotional states make it very difficult to function and excel. And the thing that craetes the most stability and support in those emotion states? Intimacy with people around us!
1 reply · active 718 weeks ago
Jennifer Flenniken's avatar

Jennifer Flenniken · 718 weeks ago

Ralf and Ewan, this series is important to me as well for the reasons Ralf mentioned. Even though I have friends here who are "conscious" and who I can relate to intimately, I do not see them often enough.

Having said that, I realize that I am my own mirror, and am working toward a reflection with everyone that I meet of seeing the light within. This is a conscious and for me so far, difficult choice. This type of community help me tremendously; to know how many others there are out there who are working toward a similar end. Thank you again.
Dear Ewan, Thank you very much for your inspiring starting post. Being an idealist myself with the vision to become my driver two years ago: to create a (work-)place where people can play to their strengths.

It is good to feel like-minded people around - even though not close by in Dresden where I feel (to be honest) a bit lonely. Talking and discussing the issue via the Web is one side of the medal, taking it into tangible action in the local surrounding is quite another one. Struggling to connect locally, expanding my network easily outside into the world.

Any advice on to achieve the local awareness of "happy workplace" vision?
1 reply · active 720 weeks ago
Hello Ralf,
One of our sponsors is the German Integrales Forum. http://www.integralesforum.org/
Maybe that can provide a connection to likeminded people in Germany. Who knows even in Dresden.
Jeroen
Thanks so much for your thoughts Lindsay. I loved what Brian said yesterday, which I think spoke directly to some of what you're saying. He said business has a purpose, and profit is not it. Profit is like our red blood cells - we need them to live, just like a business needs profit to exist, but the purpose of living is not to make red blood cells.

Yes!
Here I come, another idealist who is currently looking for my fit in the world!

Hello everyone,

I am very excited about participating in the series. Thank you for having the vision of opening space for the world to come together in dialogue.

All in my experience, idealism has not been the language of business, and for that I have struggled very much. "It is not tangible," I often hear, "nor realistic," sometimes having awkward feelings about whether there's something wrong with me in believing in ideals that only I seem to understand. In this sense, I first think that a conscious business makes room for ideals (and idealists) to "fit in."

Indeed, I believe that consciousness and choice only emerge from the intangibles of a deep awareness of what's true to us at all levels and dimensions, from individual to cultural; as a humanity and as a society. A friend asked me once, what do you think is missing in organizations that will require the development of a new kind of leader? Overall, I believe that businesses (and its people) are lacking serious awareness around the impact that we have onto others and more importantly its repercussions. I feel that most business operate in the automatics of making profit (regardless)... there's in general little meaning, there's little faith. There are little ideals, little inspiration... in my view, all what is needed to being more conscious.

Once aware that we co-create the environments that we live in, choices can be intentionally made, and then tangible results will come by addition.

Hope this makes some sense.

I look forward to tomorrow.

Lindsay
1 reply · active 720 weeks ago
Hello Lindsay,

Thank you very much for your post. I really recognize the piece about the idealist. I feel it also resonates strongly with Brian Johnson's work. I'll ask him about it tonight!!

Jeroen
You can all see the schedule now - www.wakinguptheworkplace.com/schedule
2 replies · active 720 weeks ago
Bernadette Castilho's avatar

Bernadette Castilho · 720 weeks ago

Is that correct, June 1st??
Hello Bernadette,
That is correct. This is a wednesday! Fred Kofman had a more difficult schedule. But we just seriously wanted to make sure have him as one of the speakers!
The reason that we haven't added all times is that we want to double check the times. Also in relation to daylight savings time. Which has already gone in effect in the USA, but not in Europe.
In general, almost all speakers will be at 8pm CET. However Fred Kofman will be at 6pm CET. We will update the schedule next week. So, make sure to check it then. We will mention this in the e-mail.
Jeroen
Hi everyone; I come from the world of education and social services - the non-profit sector. I am currently teaching in a community college and chairing a department of Community, Family and Child Studies. So my interest in Waking Up the Workplace comes from a slightly different angle. As academic institutions move more toward business models, just what are those models we are trying to emulate? How can we in academia learn to lead from the future as it emerges and more importantly help to create meaning and purpose in life? Thanks for providing this opportunity for such stimulating conversation. Martha
The way I see it is that conscious people engage in conscious business.
It means engaging in flexibility, innovation, lean structure, open communication, tolerance and ambiguity, openness to new ideas and cultural diversity. On a personal level conscious people have a clear personal mission and vision aligned with their beliefs, and values, they have a clear internal compass helping them make active choices about their life and work.
Great to hear your experiences Bernadette! What you say reminds me of the principle of Holacracy that Brian Robertson teaches. It's about finding the 'workable' solution, not the best. But also that the workable solution can and should be revisited at any time. In my experience it really helps to keep decision making and development very fluid and dynamic, rather than bogged down in perfectionism.
Bernadette Castilho's avatar

Bernadette Castilho · 721 weeks ago

Hi, everyone!!

I love the idea that 'waking up the workplace' is not only related to business. Workplace is everywhere, can be our homes, our schools and even our business ofices. The last years I´m trying to answer all these questions and I´ve discovered, as a manager, that I should, first of all, try to "wake me up", first! When I´ve begun to actually chance myself, others changed also. We are far to have an ideal workplace, but my office and the personnal relations improoved a lot.

Also I discovered that we don´t need to have the better answers, but the possible one in that context.

I continue my way, trying to wake me up for new ideas and concepts. I think that this forum will help me a lot on that challenge!!

See you ...
1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago
Hello Bernadette,
I really resonate with your comment about working on myself "to be awake". As in to be aware of my unconscious behavioral pattern. Or to be more conscious of the people I am connecting with. Sensing what is needed in the current situation. To be present.
This is why I feel my own personal development, or the personal development of the people in the workplace are of utmost important in waking up the workplace.
One of my initial thoughts about waking up the workplace is that we can make interventions on many different levels. In Realize! we often look at the perspectives of (personal) Leadership, culture and the organisational structure. This approach was initially based on Ken Wilbers 4 quadrants. Where Leaderdership is the "I" perspective (UL), Culture related to the "We" perspective (LL), and structure related to the It's Perspective (LR). This way we try to make a holistic or integral assessment of the "workplace" at hand.
However, I am especially interested in what our interviewees will share as their insights.
I love it Joanna - consciousness is a choice! So I also wonder what it takes to be able to make that choice? Can anyone make it? Does it require something? Consciousness? ;)
Hello All
Great to be part of this virtual initiative of people who share questions and want answers! I really want to learn and promise to give you All my best. I always try to keep things simple, therefore to me business is about people and profit. Conscious business in my oppinion is a choice. In my experience you can devide people in two groups: A. the ones who just go for themselves and B. those who want to do the right thing for the greater good. I believe that besides being conscious ( knowing, aware) we always can make a choice to which group we want to belong in any specific situation. So to me conscious business has everything to do with behavior and the moral choices we make.These are two sides of the same coin. I find both groups are part of human nature so the question to me is: cán they work constructively together in a company? And if so what essential conditions are therefore necessary? Ciao, Johanna
Margreeth, one of the things we've talked about when creating the series was about 'work' and in what ways its different to 'business' What I like about the idea 'waking up the workplace', is it really doesn't restrict it to standard 'businesses', its more fundamental. What is it we spend our lives working on? I think Education has everything to do with that.
Hi Sue, letting the conversation come - indeed! It's the most fun way of exploring I think :)
Thanks Deborah, I really appreciate your words. Looking forward to Brian Robertson too! I think there will be some interesting stories coming out of that call :)
Thank you for coming to play Jennifer! Fantastic questions. I think you have to start by deciding what 'conscious' means ;) But however we define it, for me, I think it sits right at the heart of the long-term/short-term issue.
Love it Nate! I had a conversation with a friend yesterday who is in the process of totally re-structuring his consulting company. The question at the heart of their challenge was 'to create an organisation where people maintained all the benefits that took them free-lance, while at the same time, also providing all the benefits of working in a secure organisation'. Now that's a vision! :)
Hi everybody who's looking for a better world! I'm so gratefull we have this opportunity to explore, share and develop. Thanks to the WUTW-poeple. As a consultant in - mostly - the world of education I would really like to take the issue broader. What needs to be done to facilitate people working in education to be able to picture the whole system, to value the world, to see that their pupils will be the habitants in the world to be? How to educate them to be that in alignment? What are the structures that will be of help? I see a mostly green (teachers) or green/blue world, hugh blue/orange political influences. There is a lot of potential yellow, but the lifeconditions are not evoking to that potential. How to help the transition to yellow? I'm gratefull for the opportunity to share!
Hi WUTW group ...
My colleagues and I are looking forward to this dialogue series. I appreciate the approach you are taking to "letting come" whatever will in the conversations. From my business practice, I am seeing signs of confusion, hesitation, and seeking: a recognition that the old ways are not working, but a lack of clarity about what the new ways are. Fear of spending, but desire to spend on the right things. A desire to embrace a more holistic (mind, body, spirit) way of doing things, but no evidence in business/ROI terms that it will make a difference. I look forward to hearing how some of the speakers are bridging the old to the new.
Hi guys,
Thank you so much for your integrity in putting together this teleseries, and for your transparency about what you've chosen, what you've left out, and why. It feels like a unique breath of authentic air in the glutted, dazed landscape. I'm really looking forward to it all, and especially to your talk with Brian Robertson about Holacracy.
All the best, and much gratitude.
Jennifer Flenniken's avatar

Jennifer Flenniken · 721 weeks ago

Thank you so much for this avenue of sharing. My questions relate to the impact of stockholders on large companies (where the stockholders are not involved in the day-to-day functioning of the business).

How do we get investors who are already "converted" (to borrow Wout-Jan's term) to only invest in conscious businesses and relatedly, how do they really know which businesses are conscious?

For the unconverted shareholders, how do we get them to care more about the long-term than the short-term (because I think this is a step toward sustainability and conscious business).
When I think about conscious businesses I think about empowerment. There has been so much negative association with the corporate world thrown out there such as 'wage slave' or focusing on escaping the corporate environment. I feel a lot of what's needed is empowerment. By using a term such as 'wage slave' we are implying that we are somehow not free or that someone else controls us.
I think this is sort of a 'poverty mindset' and, yes, it's up to businesses to foster an environment where employees unique talents and gifts are nurtured, respected and cultivated through the company culture, but it's also up to the individual to change their mindset. So, not feeling afraid or prohibited from bringing your full self to work. When employees are empowered to bring their full selves to work, when they're empowered to make decisions on their own, when they can choose or at the very least have some freedom of when and where they work I think a shift happens. Instead of feeling separate from the business or a cog in the machine, you feel as you are the business. There's control and almost an entrepreneurial aspect that's created. Of course, a lot of this is dependent on the culture that is created by the company. I think a good recent example of a company that has been able to capture a little bit of this is Zappos. They created a list of 10 core values, which has cultivated a certain culture and attracted certain individuals sharing that mindset, which I think is a good step in making a business more conscious.
Hello Wout-Jan
Your question reminds me of another line of questioning that I felt as a consultant.
Is the implementation of more conscious working methods requisite for all companies? Or is it better to help "good companies" become "excellent companies", instead of putting effort in turning "bad companies" in "average companies".
In particular, I would hope that the good/excellent companies would be even more succesful and then attract the best talent away from bad companies. In other words, can "conscious change agents" make a difference in the world by selecting the companies we like to see surviving and thriving?
Jeroen
Great questions Wout-Jan. I'm particularly drawn to the 'million-euro' ;) question of how to turn an 'average' company into a conscious business.

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