We are building our future world today.
The outcomes of builder’s work are always easier to see and appreciate looking back at history.
In the moment there is often not the sense of instant gratification, definitely not the public attention of other more immediate fix, firefighter roles.
Like with our home or major public buildings, selecting the location, identifying and attracting building talent, designing, planning, digging deep foundations, sourcing materials, coordinating the building phases and many contributors are all behind the scenes of the buildings we appreciate.
It is interesting to reflect on the benefits we receive today from the ‘building’ work of our predecessors. The institutions, services, and products we have available to us. Often these are complex systems of skilled people, physical infrastructure, and increasingly sophisticated technology. These have been built from often humble beginnings and have transformed themselves multiple times to remain relevant and viable.
Reflecting on the trials and tribulations of bringing up a family brings this to life for me. I feel very fortunate of the schools, and now universities, that are available to my children to learn and develop skills to thrive into the future. There have been frightening events where we owe the life of a child to the acute care network of ambulances and Emergency services of our local health system. There have been times where Banks and insurance companies helped bridge from issues that took time to resolve. There have been car accidents where roadside assist services have saved the day. There are also homes we have lived in and favourite holiday and hang out venues we enjoy. My world, my family today is built on work done in the past by countless others – those that delivered the direct service and those that built the capability behind them.
All that capability was built through successive waves of contributors. The original builders of these institutions would likely not even recognise the capabilities that are offered today as there has been so much development.
Working with leaders, strategists, capability builders, planners, entrepreneurs/ intraprenuers, systems designers and redesigners there is this tension of ‘the builder’. For the customer or the community, it is not about the pre-work, but it is also all about the pre-work – the preparation, the team’s inherent change-fitness, the resources and systems available.
We respect and appreciate the work of immediate responders – utilising resources and capabilities available to them. We are also aware of the priority we must give to setting up their success. We feel the accountability of ensuring functioning business and operating models. It doesn’t just happen.
We are building our future world today. Working with purpose and a sense of urgency on activity that may not be in the spotlight, or even clearly defined today.
The thinking and energy we bring to work today sets up culture, people capability, the strategic resilience frame, team dynamics, and the platforms, infrastructure, and resources of future horizons. That may be in a number of different time horizons depending on the work – tomorrow, next week, next month.
It may also impact lives next year, next decade, next generation. We know that through looking back on work done long ago that directly impacts us today.
We need to give space and encouragement to this work.
Reflecting and researching on this topic of encouraging the work that is important, while not seen as urgent (time critical) or delivering immediate returns it was fascinating to find what is the most ancient recorded mentoring dialogue on the topic.
“You are only entitled to the action, never to its fruits.”— the ancient Indian text the Bhagavad Gita.
This is an excerpt of a popular verse from the Bhagavad Gita, part of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. The Gita is set in a narrative framework of a dialogue between Pandava prince Arjuna and his guide Krishna.
The message is to give up concern for the results and rewards, and instead, focus solely on doing a good job. The wisdom is that when we are unconcerned about the results, we are able to focus entirely on our efforts, and the result is even better.
Fascinating.
This insight when translated to people playing sport, is when they are engrossed in the ‘fruits’ —whether their score is ahead, their time faster etc. That if they could merely focus on playing the shots to the best of their ability, they would find the game more enjoyable. Additionally, with their complete focus on the activity at play, their game would be raised to a higher level.
What are your experiences and insights?
Bernie
