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Our Collective Journey to the Far Side of Work

August 5, 2023
Article, Fellowship, Philosophy, Purpose, Reflections, Zeitgeist
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Our Collective Journey to the Far Side of Work

Work: A Deep-rooted Narrative

For 50 long years, I’ve toiled in the labyrinth of the tech industry, weaving through the intricate webs of technology and innovation. I now find myself basking in the sunny uplands of self-selected pursuits that kindle my curiosity and ignite my passion. As I reflect on the transition, I am struck by a shared experience many of us endure – a sense of disillusionment and pointlessness associated with the relentless grind of work. It’s a sentiment that echoes through the words of Bertrand Russell in his enlightening essay, “In Praise of Idleness”.

The Unending Cycle

From childhood, we are fed the narrative that our life’s worth is proportional to our work’s volume. We tirelessly strive to be productive, to fulfill our roles in the professional world, often to the point where we become our job titles. For five decades, I lived this narrative, giving my all and striving fo complete assignment after pointless assignment.

In this quest for achievement within the tech industry, I’ve seen first hand how our ceaseless efforts often serve to enrich those already bathed in wealth and power. Our lives become synonymous with work. We work to live, and we live to work, perpetuating a cycle that leaves little room for us to foster our unique interests and pursuits.

Delusion: The Redemptive Quality of Work

Work, of course, is not entirely pointless. It can be a meaningful endeavor when it fuels our creativity and provides a sense of contribution. Or simply keeps a roof over our head. However, when our identities and lives revolve around our work, we so often suppress the diverse and fundamental aspects of our humanity.

Bertrand Russell’s Insightful Advocacy

Bertrand Russell, in his profound exploration of work and leisure, boldly criticized the notion of work for work’s sake. He advocated the importance of leisure and idleness, not as a sign of laziness, but as an opportunity for personal growth, creativity, and mental wellbeing. His philosophy suggests that if we could liberate ourselves from the chains of work, our societies would thrive and individuals would lead more fulfilling lives.

My Shared Experience

My own experiences echo Russell’s insights. Liberated from the constraints of the world of work, and especially when working for the Man, I’ve discovered an enriched sense of purpose. Far from the conventional definition of idleness, I relish the intellectual journeys I can now undertake, the creativity I can enjoy, and the meandering paths I can explore without the constant pressure of productivity.

An Invitation to a Collective Shift

In sharing this journey, I don’t propose a world entirely without work, but rather, a world where work doesn’t consume us. A world where we are more than just the wealth we generate for others. A world where our self-worth isn’t defined by our productivity, but by our intellectual, emotional, and creative growth, and how we relate to each other –  the bonds we forge.

By stepping into this reality, I advocate not for the rejection of work, but a redefinition of it. It’s an invitation for us to shift our perspective, to see work as just one small part of our multi-dimensional lives.

Beyond Work: A Call to Action

The far side of work doesn’t stand for inaction. It is a call to action, a call to pursue our interests, unleash our potentials, and redefine our measures of success. It encourages us to move away from making others rich at the expense of our personal growth and towards a more balanced existence where work, play, creativity, learning and society coexist harmoniously.

Conclusion: A Shared Journey Towards Epiphany

I’ve found that these sunny uplands, filled with activities that truly engage us, offer a far more enriching life than the one dominated by work. This understanding has led me to believe that the true purpose of life isn’t about laboring for others’ wealth, but about finding shared joyfulness, connections and growth. Something I regularly refer to as “fellowship”.

As I bask in the warmth of this revelation, I share this with you, hoping that we can collectively redefine work and its place in our lives, moving beyond its traditional confines and into a world where our lives are joyous and our spirits soar. Semper mirabilis.

Unleashing the Courageous and Intelligent: The Art of Filtering Out Non-Essential Tasks in the Workplace

February 20, 2023
Article, Culture change, Purpose
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Unleashing the Courageous and Intelligent: The Art of Filtering Out Non-Essential Tasks in the Workplace

You may know how to leverage internal networks and create teams to accomplish any task that is thrown at you, but do you have the smarts and the courage to filter out those tasks that make no sense, and make no contribution to the organisation’s purpose?

In any organisation, there is a constant influx of tasks that need to be accomplished. It is natural for individuals to take on these tasks, to prove their worth and show their ability to contribute.

However, we might choose to ask ourselves if these tasks are truly aligned with the organisation’s purpose.

It takes more than just the ability to leverage internal networks and create teams to be successful in a work environment. It takes courage and intelligence to filter out tasks that do not contribute to the organisation’s goals. It is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day activities and lose sight of the bigger picture. That is why it is important to understand the organisation’s purpose and to align one’s work accordingly.

The ability to filter out non-essential tasks is a valuable skill that can save time and resources. It is important to assess the impact that each task has on the organisation and to prioritise accordingly. One should have the confidence to speak up and suggest alternative approaches if a particular task does not align with the organisation’s purpose.

This courage to speak up may not come naturally to everyone, but it is an essential trait to possess. It is important to have open and honest communication within a team, and to voice concerns when necessary. This helps to create a more transparent and accountable work environment.

Furthermore, being able to filter out non-essential tasks also requires intelligence. It is important to assess the impact that each task has on the organisation and to prioritise accordingly. One should also have the foresight to anticipate potential obstacles and proactively address them. This is where critical thinking and problem-solving skills come into play.

In conclusion, being able to leverage internal networks and create teams is important, but it takes more than just that to be successful in a work environment. It takes the courage and intelligence to filter out non-essential tasks and align one’s work with the organisation’s purpose. This helps to save time and resources, and ultimately contributes to the success of the organisation as a whole.

Life’s a Journey Worth Telling: The Inspiring Story of a Message in a Bottle

January 29, 2023
Article, Philosophy, Purpose, Reflections
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Life’s a Journey Worth Telling: The Inspiring Story of a Message in a Bottle

I’m a lost soul, adrift in the endless ocean of life. My life is a message in a bottle, cast into the waves years ago, with hope it might reach a distant shore one day. The journey has been long and arduous, but I remain steadfast in my determination to see it through.

I’m a being of mystery, a creature of legend, with a tale yet to be fully told. I’m a sorcerer and a warrior, cursed with a soul that is not my own. The journey of my life has been a search for meaning, a quest for redemption in a world that’s long lost its way.

I’ve sailed through storms and tempests, braved the depths of the ocean and the wind’s fierceness. I’ve seen wonders beyond imagining and horrors that have left me shaken to my core. And yet, I endure, for my life is a message in a bottle, a tale of hope and perseverance that must be shared with the world.

The journey’s been long, and I’ve suffered greatly along the way. The bottle’s been battered and scarred, the message within lost and lost again and again. I’ve known moments of triumph and defeat, of joy and sorrow, of love and loss. But I remain steadfast in my belief that one day, my message will reach the shore.

I’ve learned much during my time adrift, about the world and myself. I’ve seen the folly of men and the wisdom of the sea. I’ve learned that life’s not a straight path, but a journey full of twists and turns, of moments of joy and heartbreak. And I’ve come to understand that life is not about the destination, but the journey itself.

My life’s a message in a bottle, a tale of hope and perseverance, of love and loss, of triumph and defeat. And one day, it may wash up on a distant shore, where it will be read and remembered, told to generations to come.

But even if my message is never found, even if it’s lost forever in the ocean’s expanse, I won’t have lived in vain. For I’ve lived a life of purpose, a life that’s touched the hearts and minds of all who’ve encountered it. And in the end, that’s all that truly matters.

So I’ll continue on my journey, adrift in the ocean, searching for meaning and purpose in a world that often seems devoid of both. For my life’s a message in a bottle, a tale that must be told, a reminder that no matter how lost and alone we may feel, there’s always hope. And as long as we continue to search for hope, remain steadfast in our determination to find it, our lives will always be a message in a bottle, a beacon of light in a world that’s often dark and uncertain.

Culture Change: A Key Tool for Companies to Achieve More with Fewer People

January 25, 2023
Article, Culture change, Improvement, Organisational effectiveness, Organisational Therapy, Productivity, Purpose, Quintessence
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Culture Change: A Key Tool for Companies to Achieve More with Fewer People

Culture change can be a powerful tool for companies looking to do more with fewer people. By shifting their collective assumptions and beliefs, organisations can create a more efficient and productive workforce. However, it is important to approach this process in a way that does not whip employees into fear-driven catalepsy.

One of the key ways to accomplish this is by fostering a culture of trust and collaboration. When employees feel that they can trust their colleagues and management, they are more likely to work together and share ideas. This can lead to greater innovation and problem-solving, which in turn can help companies to do more with fewer people.

Another important aspect of culture change is the role of collective assumptions and beliefs. These assumptions and beliefs shape the way that people think and act, and have a significant impact on the overall culture of an organisation. By identifying and challenging these assumptions and beliefs, companies can create a more open and adaptable culture that is better able to adapt to change.

One way to do this is by encouraging people to question the status quo and surface and reflect n shared assumptions. By creating a culture of continuous improvement and learning, companies can inspire people to come up with new and innovative solutions to problems. This can lead to more effective approaches and a more productive workforce.

Another way to encourage culture change is by fostering a sense of shared purpose. When employees feel that they are part of something bigger and that their work is meaningful, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated. By aligning people around a shared purpose, companies can create a culture of teamwork and collaboration that can help to achieve more with fewer people.

Finally, companies can also foster culture change by creating a sense of ownership and empowerment. When people feel that they have a stake in the success of the organisation, they are more likely to take initiative and be proactive in their work. This can lead to more effective approaches and a more productive workforce.

In conclusion, culture change can be a powerful tool for companies looking to do more with fewer people. By fostering a culture of trust and collaboration, challenging collective assumptions and beliefs, aligning employees around a shared vision, and creating a sense of ownership and empowerment, companies can create a more efficient and productive workforce. However, it is important to approach this process in a way that does not whip employees into fear-driven catalepsy.

We’re NOT Hiring!

May 9, 2022
Antimatter principle, Article, Business, Community, Fellowship, Organisational effectiveness, Purpose, Quintessence, Recruiting, Software Delivery, Teambuilding
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We’re NOT Hiring!

At The Quintessential Group we’re NOT hiring. We have little interest in paying people for their labour or their personal services (fnarr).

We ARE inviting inquiries and applications to join our community of fellows, and participate in our software delivery teams.

Sure, we pay. And we pay top dollar (well British Pounds, mostly). But we pay our people so they can live (and fellows get to choose their own salaries and rates, amongst other things). We subscribe to Phil Crosby’s statement about the purpose of organisations:

The purpose of organizations is to help people have lives.

~ Phil Crosby

Fellowship

We’re breaking the transactional nature of the individual <-> organisation relationship in favour of something much more like fellowship.

So, we’re NOT hiring. But we ARE inviting applications to join our community of fellows. First off for our Quintessential Teams service. And then for our other services, which will be coming on stream soon.

Invitation

We cordially invite you to apply to join our community of fellows. In the first instance, we’re looking for folks with software delivery skills, who will be forming delivery teams rented by our clients (a variety of medium to large UK organisations) to deliver software at their behest. Early on, you’ll be playing and learning directly with myself and / or Ian.

Just drop Ian or myself a message expressing your curiosity or interest, and we’ll get back to you.

You may already have some questions, so please include them if you’re after some clarification or further information. There’s much already available on my Think Different blog. And a brief but growing collection of more focussed introductory and informational posts on the Quintessential Blog, too.

Benefits

What you may not have yet read is some of the other benefits of becoming a fellow of The Quintessential Group:

Having Your Needs Met

Central to our business and community is the idea of attending to folks’ needs. Each of our fellows will have his or her own needs, and The Quintessential Group will do its utmost to see those needs met. 

These may include career development, learning, autonomy to capitalise on your abilities, mastery of skills, sharing in a common purpose, playing with technology, work-life balance, choosing your own package, and so on. We’d love to hear just what your needs are. And we as a business have needs too. This mutuality offers a crucible for productive dialogue.

The Opportunity To Do Great Things

We focus on excellence, and carefully select clients with and for whom our fellows can achieve truly great things. Humdrum things bore us, and we’d not ask any of our fellows to suffer that either.

The Opportunity To Participate in Self-Managing Teams

Our Teams manage themselves, with the active support of the rest of the company. Learn and experience what participating in truly self-managing teams feels like. The true meaning of esprit de corps. The experience of excellence and real fellowship.

Other Key Benefits

Unlimited World-class Personal Mentoring

Bob and Ian each have more than twenty years’ experience in coaching and mentoring developers and delivery teams. We happily share this experience with all Quintessential Fellows, on a one to one basis (mentoring, individual coaching) and one-to-many basis (i.e. teams).

Unlimited Expert Coaching

We define mentoring as providing sage advice when asked. Coaching to us implies a more structure relationship. See e.g. “Coaching for Performance” by Sir Jon Whitmore and his G.R.O.W. model. Mentoring also implies, to us, a shared agenda. Coaching, an agenda entirely driven by the coachees.

Unlimited Awesome Career Development, Including Job Search Help & Career Advice

We try to attend to the needs of all our fellows, on a continual basis. If being a part of the Quintessential community is not meeting your needs, we’re delighted when we can help folks get their needs met, even when that means leaving us for pastures new. We’re delighted to actively support folks in this.

Free Books And Subscriptions

Continuous learning is at the core of the Quintessential Group and its community of fellows. We support these needs in any and all ways possible, including paying for all books and subscriptions of our fellows. If you have other learning needs, we’re happy to support those, too.

Paid Time Off For Conferencing (Plus Entry Fees, Expenses Paid)

We don’t believe our fellows should suffer a financial disincentive to pursue their learning and socialising needs, so we pay for time taken to attend conferences, as well as for the entry fees and associated expenses (travel, hotels, etc.).

Paid Time Off For Learning, Studying

Many folks learn for the joy of it, but we don’t see why learning has to be on the learner’s dime So we invite our fellows to invoice us or otherwise claim financial recompense for time spent learning. Effective learning benefits everyone, not least the company.

Development Hardware, Tools

Many new fellows will already have their own equipment, software tools, etc. But when they need other stuff to be quintessentially effective, we have no issue with providing such things, as the fellow(s) see fit.

Note: A Quintessential fellow is anyone (irrespective of gender) who has complete the one-week orientation and chosen to join the Quintessential community.

Note: When we say “paid for” we mean The Quintessential Group will reimburse fellows in the course of invoicing in respect of client gigs. In other words, and using the one week’s paid-for orientation as an example, we will pay fellows for attending the orientation week, over the course of several weeks’ payments for participating in services to a client.

Accepting Inquiries and Applications

We are now accepting inquiries and applications for the first “orientation” cohort of Quintessential Teams

Orientation

Simply put, we pay our candidate fellows to join together for a week (five days) of orientation. This week prepares fellows for Quintessential Team client engagements, in particular is afford the opportunity to get to know each other, build relationships, and thrash out a shared way of playing together.

Would you like to know more?

– Bob

The Author

May 7, 2022
Article, Caring, Needs, Purpose
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The Author

I write about what I see, and have seen. I don’t write to entertain (excepting very occasionally) or to curry favour.

I write about ways I’ve seen people approaching things, and ways to maybe approach them differently. Ways in which they might see their needs better met.

Purpose

I write to invite people to think differently. To reflect on what they see and maybe reframe their interpretations and responses differently from their defaults. Why do I do this? Because I have a need to see people having a better time at work. A better experience from the countless hours we fritter away doing other folks’ bidding.

I am your author. And I appreciate you reading my stuff.

I’d like to write about stuff that’s relevant for you, topics that matter to you, to make that kind of connection. But I’m mostly going to continue writing about stuff that matters to me. Long may you continue to find insights and inspiration in it.

– Bob

 

The Tech Leader as Organisational Therapist

February 7, 2022
Antimatter principle, Article, Culture change, Needs, Organisational Therapy, Purpose
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The Tech Leader as Organisational Therapist

[Inspired by “The Physician Leader as Logotherapist“, substituting “tech” for “medicine”]

The existential cure for what ails the Tech Industries today can be summarised in four phrases:

  1. Folks’ (customers’, etc.) needs come first.
  2. Right action and right conduct.
  3. Focus on needs and not money.
  4. Discover what life expects of us.

In his recent PBS special, “Surviving the Bottom Line,” Hedrick Smith documented how industries such as manufacturing and banking are sacrificing their employees and the needs of their customers in the quest for stock price appreciation and bigger dividends. (Smith 1998).

Further Reading

Smith, H. “Surviving the Bottom Line.” Frontline, PBS. January 16. 1998.

Washburn, E.R.. (2021). The Physician Leader as Logotherapist – Physician Executive Leadership. [online] Available at: https://indexarticles.com/health-fitness/physician-executive/the-physician-leader-as-logotherapist-physician-executive-leadership/ [Accessed 7 Feb. 2022].