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Whereas the world is struggling to seek out solutions to nearly all the things amidst uncertainty and the autumn of deeply rooted paradigms, we’re witnessing a pivotal second for humanity that, though it’s not identified the place it should lead, in case you are ready to benefit from it, it may be an occasion of progress like no different.
Past difficulties and conjunctures, we hear an increasing number of discuss consciousness . What’s it about? Based on the dictionary definitions, “it’s the potential of the human being to acknowledge the encircling actuality and to narrate to it, in addition to the instant or spontaneous information that the topic has of himself, of his actions and reflections.” From a religious perspective, consciousness is a heightened state of being, which can assist to efficiently remedy issues of which means about life.
For instance, it’s consciousness to take heed to your individual feelings, make selections in full use of your inner and exterior sources, go inside your self, “introspect” correctly to seek out solutions.
The wants that Maslow raised
To give attention to the completely different ranges of consciousness, I invite you to discover a mixed method between the pyramid of wants by Abraham Maslow and the 7 ranges of consciousness by Richard Barrett, an knowledgeable in enterprise and social cultural transformation.
Maslow’s pyramid, or hierarchy of human wants, is a psychological concept proposed by Abraham Maslow in his 1943 work “A Concept of Human Motivation, ” which he later expanded.
This concept focuses on 5 ranges, like a pyramid. On the base are the essential wants, basically physiological, that enable sustaining homeostasis to outlive: for instance, respiratory and air high quality, water and hydration, meals, relaxation, keep away from ache, keep physique temperature.
Then, safety and safety wants , each when it comes to bodily and well being, in addition to sources equivalent to housing, sustenance to stay and employment.
Climbing the pyramid, social wants seem, represented by affective improvement, affiliation and affinity with others, affection and sexual intimacy.
Subsequent, the want for shallowness . Maslow outlined them as tall, characterised by self-respect, with emotions equivalent to self-confidence, mastery, achievement, independence, and freedom; and a loss, associated to the necessity for consideration, appreciation, recognition, status, standing, dignity and success and even fame. If these wants diminish, an perspective of low shallowness and emotions of inferiority are mirrored.
On the high of the pyramid seems the want for self-realization , centered on the event of their potential; in unlocking creativity and innovation, and in with the ability to understand their tasks and concepts. Maslow additionally referred to as them progress motivation and the must be, and affirms that it’s the highest psychological want of individuals, because it permits us to attach with the which means of life. It’s achieved when all of the earlier ranges have been reached, or at the least superior to a sure level.
The 7 ranges of consciousness
Constructing on Maslow’s work, British writer Richard Barrett developed the idea of common phases of evolution, and the ideas of non-public and cultural entropy (transformation). On the similar time, he created completely different analysis strategies to measure ranges of values in individuals, firms and communities, together with the 7 ranges of consciousness.
Ensuring parallels with the pyramid of 1943, Barrett marked 7 phases of consciousness with small variations relying on whether or not it’s a individual, a company, a society; it even applies them to management consciousness.
The 7 ranges of consciousness that Richard Barret raises are:
Degree 1: Survival (in Maslow these can be ranges 1 for physiological wants, and a pair of for safety). Right here the main target is on guaranteeing survival not solely physiological -health, consuming, sleeping-, but additionally security -income, housing-. It’s a tangible, bodily, concrete stage. The primary three ranges are referred to as “self-interest” by Barrett.
For firms, it will imply being conscious of occupational well being, having the suitable construction to perform, and acquiring advantages and profitability. Additionally in attaining and measuring the stability of satisfaction with the collaborators, and in guaranteeing the sustainability of the companies as a way to have the ability to perform, with out ceasing to consider a extra transcendent goal.
Degree 2: Relationships (in Maslow it’s stage 3, social wants, affiliation): it focuses on affection and belonging to a tribe (teams, groups, affinities).
If we transpolate it to the organizational world, it’s mirrored in loyalty, the inner local weather, the worth chain. Additionally with the interplay with others with comparable pursuits, social relationships, affiliative hyperlinks with different representatives of the sector, fostering agreements, alliances and customary enterprise.
Degree 3: Shallowness – esteem (it’s associated to that very same stage, which is 4 in Maslow’s pyramid): it has to do with affection, status, respect, and with the popularity of others and of oneself; additionally, with achievement and differentiation, from the development of self-leadership and self-confidence.
For firms, this stage reinforces the vanity that it’s potential to realize nice achievements working as a group. Additionally listed below are the stimuli of extrinsic motivation such because the emotional wage -which just isn’t remunerative-, within the type of congratulations, recognition and listening abilities. Used effectively, high quality suggestions also can foster company shallowness, in addition to steady enchancment of processes, high quality and good practices, ethics and shared values.
Degree 4: Transformation (connects with stage 5 of self-realization). Right here Richard Barrett creates 4 ranges of consciousness, this being the set off for greater ranges pursuing the frequent good.
It’s about private improvement, evolution, lifelong studying and the unfolding of potential. It’s a stage of evolution and studying from the everlasting want to query, search and discover in consciousness.
After we carry it to the world of organizations, this interprets into the necessity for steady evolution, reinvention, and innovation. It could possibly be mentioned that the cultural change in an organization begins at this stage of consciousness. To realize this, they might want to work on group cohesion and on producing enhancements and difficult alternatives that rework challenges into collaborative studying; and in producing transversal transformations.
Degree 5: Inner cohesion (associated to stage 5 of self-realization) Following Barrett’s 4 greater ranges of transformation of consciousness, the intention is to work on leaving the individualistic mode of the “I” to go to the encounter of a “we”. It applies to each people and corporations. Right here seems a consciousness of shared imaginative and prescient, the place there are values at stake which can be the elements that unite them: belief, integrity, honesty, communication, authenticity.
Corporations can work on these facets, producing alternatives for conferences, teambuilding , attracting one of the best out there expertise, and producing a neighborhood that creates a powerful and stable tradition, constant and sustainable over time. Embracing a standard trigger typically achieves this cohesion.
Degree 6: Contribution (additionally associated to Maslow’s stage 5 of self-realization) That is about specializing in the contributions of worth that, as people, we make to society. They are often considered a part of the legacy left by residing on the planet, that’s, leaving a mark.
In firms, it’s potential to give attention to these worth contributions directed in direction of the purchasers of the services; in direction of suppliers, distributors, and many others., and, in fact, in direction of the inner public: collaborators in any respect ranges. For instance, offering equal alternative remedy to suppliers viewing them as strategic companions is a part of this spirit of contribution, and raises the extent of consciousness because it goes past the merely transactional (I provide you with = you give me). In time, this generates a rise within the stage of consciousness and is linked to the transcendent legacy. The end result over time shall be to depart a mark in the marketplace section the place they function.
Degree 7: Service (enhances the identical stage 5 from Maslow). Right here individuals join with a higher objective: Why did we come to this world? What’s my position? What legacy am I going to depart?
Within the enterprise world, it’s the stage of consciousness to solidify in the long run via ethics, to consider the generations to come back, to make invaluable contributions to humanity; in company social accountability and in pleasant dynamics with the atmosphere and inclusion insurance policies of every kind. It’s pondering of performing for the higher good, not simply petty self-interest.
Picture : Daniel Colombo.
Conclusions
As you might have noticed, ranges of consciousness are values, and values are remodeled into tradition, whether or not you’re employed on it personally or as an organization.
It’s a gradual course of, which wants the identical as all good building: robust pillars. The suggestion is to permit time for the method, and permit particular person and collective maturation at your individual tempo.
The tip end result shall be higher coherence, a sense of inner well-being and higher accountability and dedication; as a result of there isn’t any going again as soon as consciousness has been raised. You’ll be able to lose your manner at occasions, though consciousness will at all times be a information to get again on observe.
