Our society is constantly changing and we are seeing a rapid acceleration in the development of technologies. The latest expression of this relates to progress in the field of artificial intelligence, of which ChatGPT is the best known and most visible example. All of these changes tend to focus attention on the next key stage, the rapid evolution and acceleration in our consciousness, the development of our self-awareness.
This involves a deeper understanding of ourselves, our place in the world and our impact on it. It can help us to be more aware of our actions and their consequences, as well as enabling us to take better-informed decisions.
Human consciousness, too, is constantly changing and can be influenced by many factors: culture, religion, education, experience and the media. To progress human consciousness, it is important to make people aware of different ideas and perspectives, to provide them with accurate information and encourage critical reflection.
One key concept that can help to raise our level of awareness is the notion of impact. It is important for individuals to understand that their actions have an impact on others, on the environment and on the world as a whole. By becoming aware of our impact, we can be encouraged to take more thoughtful decisions and act more responsibly.
The notion of impact can also help us to connect with others and develop a sense of collective responsibility. By recognizing that each individual action can have an impact on the community, we are motivated to work together to create a better world for all.
The notion of impact is therefore a key element in fostering the development of human consciousness. By making people aware of the importance of their actions, we can encourage more responsible and cooperative behaviour, and thus contribute to a fairer and more sustainable world.
There are three key factors in maximizing impact:
- Make sure you are speaking the same language, that you have a common understanding at all levels of your business or organization.
This will ensure that all the members of the team are working in the same direction and share a common vision. They should all be navigating using the same “compass”. - Another key factor is the need to be coherent at different levels. First, at the individual level: being personally coherent. This enables you to channel your energies more effectively and communicate better with others. Second, coherence at the level of the organization or business. For this to happen, there needs to be coherence among the different aspects of corporate activity: communication, staff development and the tools and processes used, applied and in force.
This kind of harmonious coherence between these elements can be summed up as congruence, and ensures that resources are deployed appropriately and with the desired impact. - We must also strive to keep things simple, to aim for simplicity. Simplicity is not the same as facility (absence of difficulty or effort). Simplicity demands hard work, reflection, understanding.
By simplifying processes, communications and strategies, we can avoid pointless complication and concentrate on the things that will have the greatest impact.
To sum up, to maximize one’s impact it is important to work on these three factors: developing a common language and understanding, being coherent at all levels, and aiming for simplicity rather than facility.
Thoughts on the notions of coherence and congruence
Coherence is the quality of being logical, connected and constant in the way one thinks, acts and speaks. Etymologically, the terms derives from the Latin “cohaerentia” meaning “strict adherence” or “combining together”. Being coherent at the personal level means having clear convictions and acting accordingly, in a constant and regular way.
It means living coherently in accordance with one’s values, beliefs and objectives. This will include taking decisions in accordance with one’s convictions and acting in consequence. Being coherent also means being honest with oneself and with others, not changing one’s opinions or behaviour without good reason.
Coherence is important because it enables us to develop self-confidence and act confidently, as well as maintaining a reputation for coherence and reliability in the eyes of others. In addition, it gives us the sense of being in tune with our own values and living more authentically and expansively.
A congruent organization is one in which all aspects of corporate life work harmoniously towards the same objectives, and the actions of individuals and teams are aligned with the organization’s vision and mission. When an organization is congruent, it is more efficient and effective, and responds better to the needs of its clients and the environment.
To achieve this in the area of communication, I would advise you to use a single main channel of communication. A BLOG, for example, is a workable solution. Moreover, if you establish a few simple rules, for example that employees must seek information proactively from the blog and not wait for information to be fed to them, this will improve coherence and simplify the way many things are done.
Where staff development is concerned, as well as setting out the organization’s values in terms of clear, simple and targeted guidelines for behaviour and conduct, it is important to hold some “power sessions” (short 90-minute training sessions) to provide the skills and tools required to follow these guidelines.
Being consistent
To have the required impact and thus implement the points mentioned above, it is vital to be consistent. This means, first, actually doing what you have decided and, second, establishing certain barriers.
I see businesses regularly falling into the same traps because they have not been consistent. For example, they go for a major transformation and, to achieve this, launch a multitude of initiatives and projects in parallel. This has the effect of complicating everything, delaying implementation and confusing the employees concerned. Concrete, visible and confidence-boosting results are then slow in coming. Moreover, large sums of money are invested, and sometimes wasted.
It is therefore extremely important to be consistent in such cases and make progress without overwhelming the system with too many parallel activities. There is such a thing as an “acceleration trap”, with employees having to run faster and faster, and exhausting themselves, like hamsters in a wheel.
Ultimately, “being consistent” is also a key issue at the individual level. It is important to remember that becoming more aware and developing one’s consciousness are ongoing processes that take time, patience and effort. This will not be achieved overnight, but only through intentional and regular practice.
We can all move towards a deeper awareness and understanding of ourselves and of the world around us, and thus make the world a better place.
So, be aware of your impact and be consistent!
