Manila, 5 August 2020 — What fires can bring renewal to our workplace culture? 

It takes courage to take a perspective that the Covid-19 pandemic is highlighting pains in our workplaces that can help us to renew our life and work, both individually and in our teams, businesses, and communities. In many Asian wisdom traditions, however, the power of fire has long been regarded as a force for good, bringing transformation and renewal. So let’s talk about fire today.

Fires for Change

For centuries, leaders have stood out for practicing the art of sense-making. Now again, we need to make sense of the tremendous challenges that we are going through in the pandemic. What fires do you see burning in the world around you, and which of these fires are calling out for change and renewal in our workplaces?

As we lean into the future from the present with a leadership perspective, we can ask ourselves what new cultures want to be born — through the fire — in our workplaces at this time? Once we’re becoming more aware of that, we will be able to create spaces to experiment with letting these cultures grow and show us that their time has indeed come.

On the other hand, we may also discern cultures and conventions that are best left to burn to ash now, with our grateful appreciation that they were once useful in an earlier era that has now passed. It’s a time for better ways to emerge, and we can take charge of making that happen.

Workplace Pains

So what are some of these fires, the workplace pains that I have heard mentioned during this time? Here are three examples of the concerns that emerging leaders have shared recently. 

First, that their productivity and creativity are at risk as the hours they spend in online meetings keep getting longer.

Second, that while management professes to care for staff, too little is done to make changes in the results they expect.

Third, that while the attention for mental wellness at work is growing, it’s still a taboo subject in many workplaces today.

I see each of these as fires that portend further pain in the workplace, yet are also calling us to find a fiery renewal for the ways we work, collaborate, and deliver results in our businesses and organizations.

What fires do you see burning around you, and what sense are you making of them? Which of these are fires to let the past die, and which are the fires to usher in the new? 

Sources of Heat

One of my mentors is Floor de Ruiter, author of Driven by Dialogue and a partner and change management facilitator at Flying Elephants in the Netherlands. I learned from Floor that significant renewal in a business or organization will require a heat source that is powerful enough to initiate and sustain change over a period of time. 

That’s what I mean by fire. 

For sure, there are many ways to be reminded of the regenerative power of fire. One of the heirlooms that passed to me after my father left life is a beautiful Nataraja image depicting Lord Shiva, the destroyer in the Hindu trinity of gods, in a graceful dancing pose surrounded by a ring of fire. Just like the image below.

You may have your own positive associations with the power of fire to bring transformation and renewal. But first, let’s get clear on what needs to change. 

A Listening Tour

So what fires do you see, and what are your three top priorities for change in workplace cultures at this time?

I’m doing a listening tour — or call it a dancing tour — about the fires for renewal, and am looking forward to set up a conversation, so do share a comment below, or write me a LinkedIn message or email?