Punks in Suits: How to lead the workplace reformation
We are on the cusp of a revolution in how we utilise the talent of people in our oganisations. "Punks in Suits" addresses the challenges and opportunities faced by today's leaders, and in these interviews she gets deeper in to these topics with other thought-leaders and experts, adding their perspectives and experiences to your thinking. Each interview is particularly pertinent to a specific chapter of the book although feel free to listen at your own pace.
Punks in Suits: How to lead the workplace reformation
Chapter 6: Goody two shoes: Business as a force for good - A conversation with Miranda Willems
Miranda Willems is a Social Innovator for Future Generations. She works with companies and other groups to help them perceive from a 7 Generations perspective.
In this thought-provoking conversation she describes what it means to sit in the centre of generations to come and our great ancestors. It’s so important that we listen to the voices of younger colleagues and those with different perspectives especially those who provoke us to see the world through a very different lens. I learnt a lot. I hope you will as well.
Key points
Ask - What kind of a society would we be if we don’t make decisions with the interests of our children at the heart? What kind of culture would we be if we did?
Think about ‘the brightest possible future’ when imagining the future.
Having reminders – photos, objects – that help connect you with the past and future are practical ways to keep different generations in the room. Combined with forums that literally bring different generations together can radically change your perspective.
Our brains struggle with long term thinking. We need to build muscle in order to think about ‘brightest possible future thinking’ with all our relations. It doesn’t come naturally. We need to evolve new brain patterns.
Doing this can provide a sense of calm or ‘rest’. Rather than being in the frame of mind of watering the fires day to day, this thinking provides a broader space that enables us to be part of something bigger. This can feel liberating.
Humans are capable of making decisions but also to imagine and dream.
We are stuck like ‘addicts to time’ to all we have to get done. Do we have the courage to let go of that?
Consider making a council of young people, or a mix of generations, with a perspective of 30-40 years. Invite inter-generational opinions into the room. Make a sincere invitation to learn from each other.
Embrace others as part of a community, to combat the feeling of loneliness. We have created isolated systems. Instead we need to organize as an eco-system across generations.