The Authentic Organization

Every year, starting in late November and running through early February, I reflect on the manner in which the presence of death can ground us in the moment, and in our best selves. Does this work the same way for organizations? Or at least, can it be put to use in the context of organizational life? I think it can.

Thinking that the task before you may be the last thing you do has two effects.

First, other worries drop away. Like the proverbial drop of water on a leaf, all of life is reflected in this moment. We take a breath and make a little space for the task at hand, so that we can attend to it without the worries that make up our quotidian clutter. We put ourselves into the task and however mundane, we know we are leaving something of ourselves behind.

Second, our values loom large. Ironically, even as we attend completely to the task, there is a force at work that makes it easier to choose whether we ever want to do this task again. This force tends to be quiet until after the moment has passed. But, as a result of bringing ourselves completely into presence with it, we are better able to make decisions that we may have been putting off.

It’s clear to me that this practice can bring great authenticity into the workplace, if even only in the oasis of a single person’s work. If practiced by many people who work together, it may help nurture a mindful environment for everyone. I wonder as well whether the organization as a whole can benefit from the practice.

If this were the very last thing we do together in this organization, we might ask ourselves, if we consider that this might be the last project we finish, the project that we will be remembered by, will that bring about the same results for the organization as it does for individuals?

If it did, I think the results would play out in the reverse order than the one I described. Rather than starting with present engagement and leading toward mindful choices, it might encourage people to ask up front: Is this really worthy of us? Is this a legacy worth leaving? Then, if the project passes this acid test, it will be that much easier for everyone involved to commit themselves wholly.