Complexity, Innovation, Knowledge and Learning: A quantum interpretation of management

The spinal cord of the company

For almost one year, I have had an awfull pain in my left arm. It started slowly February last year and culminated in the summer.  On a flight back from LA (where we visited the IONS annual conference) I was literally crying.  I went through the classical medical pathway, RX, electro research of the arm, scanner, MRI, etc. All of it.  And indeed, they could observe that the nerve of the left arm was completely inflamed.  Only solution: cortisone.  And of course it improved; and of course it came back. Next step: injection of cortisone in the spine.  And there I stopped.

Those that know me, are aware that I am an ayurvedic massage therapist (also, yes). And once more I wondered why I did not belief a bit more in it myself.  Hence I went to a chiropractor, and today I am feeling fine again: it is all over.  (Thank you Valerie)

Our spinal cord is essential for our health, both physical and psychological (and sorry for the childish link, but it is clear, isn't it?) It seems that over the years that same spinal cord captures all stress and causes a number of well known back aches. But worse, as in my case, the stress of years not only fixes itself in that spinal cord, but it goes further.

A chiropractor only (what you call only) reprograms the brain.  They retrain it to stop sending out the wrong messages.  A body is a perfect example of a systemic (autopoetic) system.  It re-produces and self-organizes in such a way that is ideal for survival.  It warns you by pain that you should slow down, relax, etc, and the more we ignore that, the more the body is going to give stronger signals.  Then we take pain killers (Cortisone ?) but the body continues to send signals. Until it goes seriously wrong.

And now the company, you didn't doubt, did you. A company, just as much as our body, has a spinal cord.  That spinal cord captures all the stress of the body (the company): a company that equally is a perfect example of an autopoetic system.  It seeks reproduction and selforganisation with one aim: survival, the long term hence (and yes, not the highest shareholder value). The company sends out signals of pain, of warning, of suggested improvement, but if the management does not want to see them, that stress is going to fix itself in the corporate spinal cord. And at the end, the company, that has ignored for years the signals, is going to be completely "sclerolised". Drugs don't help anymore, we really need a thorough reprogramming. Stress is today a serious issue in many of our companies.  Do we recognise the emergence of the phenomenon? And do we see what role we play ourselves in this?

And a last question: What is the spinal cord of the company ?   

Leaders need Salsa

Not my words, but those of Juana Bordas (Salsa, Soul and Spirit).  She gave an interview in my favourite Ode. According to her, politicians and business people need to spice up their management styles (he, maybe somebody who understands Sarkozy?) She argues for diversity, sharing, and in general a focus on "we" and not on "I". I don't know whether she also suggests that the leaders need the fire of salsa dance (or flamenco dance, to stay within my own interest).  You know that seminars are organised, using for instance argentina tango as a metaphor for leadership?

In the same Ode, an interview of French psychiatrist Christophe Andre about happiness. By the way, meaning and happiness are not the same thing.  So where Andre gives the recipe for a happy life, it is not yet a recipe for a meaningful life.  But a meaningful life might well lead to happiness.  Choose where to start. If you want some help, you might want to have to look at Erna's blog. 

His six lessons for a happier life:

1. Accept that there will be unpleasant things in life.  All the time, every day, you'll face hindrances: You'll be too late or make a mistake or say something stupid.  It's the rent you pay to live in the house of life. It's part of life. There's no point in being disappointed when things don't go your way.

2. Open your eyes and look around. There are more opportunities for happiness than you think, certainly for a Westerner in 2008. Embrace the moments.  Try to remember them.  Enjoy them.

3. Take time out.  The ability to pause, mentally as well as in your actions, is important.  Taking breaks is a prerequisite for experiencing happiness.

4. Pay attention to your family and friends. Social ties are important for happiness. Don't let a day go by without thinking of, or seeing, someone you love.

5. Try to get in touch with nature every day.  Take a walk in the park and spend a few minutes looking at nature.

6. Express your gratitude and respect for the good things you experience.  Being thankful makes you happy and increases the chance of social connection.

And if not yet interested, happiness does contribute to the bottom line.