“La mer…Les a bercés. Le long des
golfes clairs. Et d'une chanson d'amour. La mer…A bercé mon cœur pour la vie.”
If you feel so inclined, play “La Mer”
while reading this entry. It adds to the effect, I promise.
On average, in the United States, we
spend 36% of the day in the workplace. Of course this fluctuates significantly
based on the role, individual, community, etc. Either way, that’s a selection
of your life spent. Why not spend it a little bit more romantically?
To begin with, here are a few
definitions of romance: “A
strong, sometimes short-lived attachment, fascination, or enthusiasm for
something.” “A spirit of or inclination
for adventure, excitement,
or mystery.” “Love idealized for its purity
or beauty.”
Now, even the most pragmatic must have found something
to relate to up there? Why is romance important in the workplace? To begin
with, spending your time on something that is “sometimes short-lived,”
fascinating and spurs enthusiasm will drive creativity, skirt stagnation and
create transformational practices. When faced with a professional situation
where you have lost your spark, the butterflies of creativity have fallen and
nearing the next step no longer seems appealing, you are encouraged to move on
or find a whole new box to think outside of.
Whether you have worked at a corporation for 25 years
or you are on your 1st year of tenure, re-attach yourself to “a
spirit of adventure, excitement and mystery.” This is not naivety due to my age
but rather the refusal to settle into immobility. When we seek opportunities
for mystery and adventure in the workplace, we are greeted with chances to fuel
novel ideas, ask questions and collaborate on items for change.
Both of the above are impossible without connection “idealized
for its purity.” Your people. They are the “amour” my friends. Surround
yourself with people that compliment your strengths in order to turn up the
volume on the fascination and enthusiasm. Strive to get to know your team from
a personal and professional level in order to root your daily practice in
mystery and every now and then get your mind blown with the diversity within
your professional tribe. Delivering a positive work environment where
individual passions are encouraged and extraordinary adventures are advised
will not only create more profitable businesses but also more contentment.
Santosha if you will.
This is the tipping point. Are you ready?
Is the Chateau d’If a fortress or a prison? Depends how
you look at it…
