The Authentic Organization

In the book Original Blessing, Meister Eckhard (via Matthew Fox) offers us an intriguing four part framework from which to examine the spiritual paths of individuals. I believe this framework has something to offer this conversation about the authentic organization.

In brief, the framework suggests that it can be useful to think of our walk through life as a journey down four distinct paths, each in its appropriate time and serving its appropriate purpose. Those four paths are the Via Positiva or path of joy and pleasure, the Via Negativa or path of loss and grief, the Via Creativa or path of external change, and the Via Transformativa or path of inner change.

What do these four paths have to do with organizations? Don’t be put off by the anachronistic language. More than most frameworks intended for individuals, this one has enormous utility for organizations committed to authenticity.

Traditionally, organizations spend the most energy on the Via Creativa, in their efforts to do bring beauty, justice, and kindness to the world. Although I would suggest that it is present in all of them, it is in that external path that most organizations see their mission.

The last ten years has seen a strong growth in energy devoted to the Via Transformativa. This has largely taken the form of capacity building and organizational development. Many funders as well have taken steps away from an orientation toward a short term, atomistic outcomes and embraced this path, as evidenced by the growth of the affinity group Grantmakers for Effective Organizations. But we still have a long ways to go before our sector has really tapped the power of this path.

The remaining paths, the ones of joy and of grief, also have much to offer. Indeed, part of the point is that the paths are all intertwined, that while pursuing one, we find ourselves on another. If we lack the skills or the social context to support these other paths, then we and our organizations will suffer for it. If we can’t support passion or letting go, if there are things can’t face or don’t allow ourselves to want, if we can’t celebrate or mourn, then our hearts and minds will withdraw from the work. That’s the path away from authenticity.