Articles and New Ideas

Generation Y: Leading the Quest for Meaning at Work

Are Generation Y employees unreasonably demanding, or, are they just helping to clarify what we all want out of work? Could facilitating meaning at work be HR’s cross-generational answer to engaging talent?

Have you noticed a trend that occurs from one generation to the next? Each new generation seems to come to demand and expect that for which previous generations could only fight and wish. Take Generation Y for example while their parents have had to actively pursue the goal of material security, material abundance is taken for granted by Gen Y. And, this has served to heighten their search for meaning through non-material avenues. With this one simple shift in focus, has come a generation with a whole new mindset and language at work.

In many ways, understanding their perspective and listening to what Generation Y are asking for, can serve to clarify how meaning at work can be deepened for all your talent. Let me begin by giving you a crash course in “Genyese” to show you how they have turned traditional work related questions and statements upside down.

Once you may have asked: “What do you do for a living?” While now, Gen Y would ask: “What are you living to do?” They are driven more by the quest for interactive, new and stimulating experiences at work than money alone.

A valid question of the past would have been: “Which organization do you work for?” yet the question today is: “Which organization works for me?” Generation Y seeks out a workplace with a cultural fit that supports their quest for self-expression, development, wellbeing and quality of life.

It may have been appropriate to once ask: “Where do you work?” but a more pertinent question these days is: “Where don’t I work?” This internet generation are always aware that they have global choices (and travel adventures) at their fingertips. They also know they are working in an employee’s market and are open to pursuing horizontal mobility options.

Management might have made a statement like this in the past: “If I find you are performing highly you will be rewarded.” Yet, Generation Y support a different philosophy that states, “If I find my work rewarding I will perform highly.” Generation Y are motivated by challenging work that makes a genuine contribution. They are more now focussed rather than future orientated in their thinking and approach to life.

Gone are the days when effective management meant simply announcing certain significant changes effective from the start of the month. If management routinely did that today, Generation Y employees are likely to respond in kind with their own announcement saying, “I need a change of management – effective immediately!” This generation needs their opinions to be heard and valued with a sense of participation rather than pure dictation from management.

At first glance these examples may only serve to arouse frustration with this generation who seem to want it all! Yet, take a second look and you will see what they are really asking. It is a request to help meet their desire for deeper meaning in what they do beyond just earning an income. Growing up relatively materially rich in a growing economy means their life experience has literally shown this generation that money can’t buy happiness. Generally, on the other hand, it seems their parents had to trial and test the theory. Success in life for Gen Y will be measured not in the quantity of dollars in their bank account but in terms of the quality of experiences in their memory bank. Of course, they know they require the funds necessary to support their lifestyle but money is seen more as just a means to an end.

Generation Y is also aware that life is short and moves mega fast. So, working all week and reserving great and meaningful experiences only for the weekend will not cut it. This is why they want a meaningful workday in a positive work environment aligned with their values. They want to make connections and contributions to others through their work whilst developing and expressing their talents.

Interestingly, Generation Y is not alone in their desire for deeper meaning in their work and life. There is a collective shift towards reprioritising health, relationships, communities, ecology and even spirituality. A downshifting survey commissioned by Clive Hamilton conducted by The Australia Institute found that 23% of Australians 30-59yrs old have downshifted within the last ten years. The underlying sentiment cited for this was their desire for their lives to be an expression of who they are in alignment with the values they espouse.

Human resources industry research has recognised the widespread relevance of the desire for meaning at work. A report by the Roffey Park Institute found that 70% of employees surveyed are looking for more meaning at work. Then, a report that followed on meaning at work by Penna, a UK based human capital management consultancy, found that 87% of employers surveyed recognised that employees would be more motivated by meaning at work. The report described meaning at work as a higher-level engagement factor and a source of competitive advantage there for the taking, as their research showed potential positive impacts on motivation, loyalty, pride and productivity levels.

The importance of meaning at work is also being recognised within the HR industry on an international level. The worldwide 2007 Human Resource Competency Study (HRCS) tracks the continual evolution of the competencies required for high performance in the profession. In past versions of the study, HR’s role of managing culture was only acknowledged as an element embedded within one of the five competencies that were then identified. Now, for the first time, due to its growing importance, it has been recognised in its own right, as a sixth additional independent competency, referred to as “cultural steward”.

In fact, of the six competencies, the function of being a cultural steward is the second highest predictor of performance of HR departments and professionals. Particularly noteworthy here, is the fact that the study described a key performance element of being a cultural steward was to personalise culture within the organization by helping employees find meaning in their work.

Daniel Pink, in his book “A Whole New Mind” also highlights the fact that in the advanced economies there is a shift occurring in the type of thinking and approach that will bring professional success and personal fulfillment. As we move from the information age, which is powered by linear, analytical “left-brain” thinking, into what he terms the “conceptual age”, powered by the metaphorical “right-brain” inventive and big-picture capabilities, he states: “The future belongs to a very different kind of person with a very different kind of mind – creators and empathisers, pattern recognisers and meaning makers.” While the “right-brain” has been largely undervalued and overlooked in the business world its importance is beginning to be acknowledged. Actively engaging this hemisphere of the brain will be a key factor in effectively addressing the issue of meaning at work.

Just as we seem to be moving from the information age to the conceptual age, there also appears to be a shift occurring from dwelling on IQ and emotional intelligence to now recognising the existence and importance of spiritual intelligence as well. Danah Zohar, in her work on spiritual intelligence (SQ) describes SQ as a specifically human longing to find meaning and value in what we do, and in her work she presents the latest scientific evidence showing the neurological basis for the existence of such intelligence. The emerging theme here is clear, the desire for meaning at work is a human issue, and by extension, a human resources issue, and it is by no means Generation Y specific, even though they may seem to be advocating for it the loudest.

Human resources departments who are able to address meaning at work in a proactive way stand to reap the benefits. While a competitor can match or better a remuneration package, it is a much tougher task to replicate or better the intrinsic meaning an employee gets out of working at a particular organization. In this way, the positive impact of meaning on the engagement and retention within your organization is a source of competitive advantage that is waiting to be tapped.

Aura-Soma Colour System - Frequently Asked Questions

By Suzanne Saad

What is the Aura-Soma colour system?

The Aura-Soma® colour care system uses the language of colour to communicate, clarify and support wellbeing. Each of the colours of the rainbow have a certain vibration and therefore certain quality. Aura-Soma is a science based on the subtle and vast range of colours and their vibrations. It can be used to bring clarity and direction to anyone in a simple and quick consultation.

Aura-Soma consists of a range of over 100 dual-layered bottles of colour made from essential oils, herb extracts and crystal energies. An individual will choose four bottles from this selection. They simply choose the ones they are attracted to. The colours you choose will reflect your own inner qualities and potential. In this way, Aura-Soma is a tool for self-awareness. It is as if you are looking in the mirror at yourself - emotionally, mentally and even spiritually. Along with colour, Aura-Soma also incorporates the wisdom and insight of the Tarot, Numerology, Astrology and the Tree of Life. In fact, every bottle corresponds to a specific card in the Tarot and number in numerology.

What are the main benefits of an Aura-Soma consultation?

The consultation is an insightful experience where you gain insight into who you are as you see your true colours before you. It articulates emotional, mental and even spiritual patterns - those that you find challenging as well as those that reflect your gifts and talents. This information is very helpful for people and often gives them answers to deep questions they have been asking themselves. In this way, a consultation is useful whether you choose to use your equilibrium bottle(s) or not.

The Aura-Soma philosophy recognises that there is really only one disease – not knowing one’s place in life or the meaning of this life. This is what results in resistance, stress and physical ailments. Thus, the Aura-Soma system aims to help you find and fulfil your own mission in life.

Understanding the colours you have chosen gives you the opportunity to recognise yourself at a deep level. The colours shed light on the big questions of life. What personal qualities, gifts and values do you wish to express in life?

What is the Aura-Soma colour system?

The Aura-Soma® colour care system uses the language of colour to communicate, clarify and support wellbeing. Each of the colours of the rainbow have a certain vibration and therefore certain quality. Aura-Soma is a science based on the subtle and vast range of colours and their vibrations. It can be used to bring clarity and direction to anyone in a simple and quick consultation.

Aura-Soma consists of a range of over 100 dual-layered bottles of colour made from essential oils, herb extracts and crystal energies. An individual will choose four bottles from this selection. They simply choose the ones they are attracted to. The colours you choose will reflect your own inner qualities and potential. In this way, Aura-Soma is a tool for self-awareness. It is as if you are looking in the mirror at yourself - emotionally, mentally and even spiritually. Along with colour, Aura-Soma also incorporates the wisdom and insight of the Tarot, Numerology, Astrology and the Tree of Life. In fact, every bottle corresponds to a specific card in the Tarot and number in numerology.

What are the main benefits of an Aura-Soma consultation?

The consultation is an insightful experience where you gain insight into who you are as you see your true colours before you. It articulates emotional, mental and even spiritual patterns - those that you find challenging as well as those that reflect your gifts and talents. This information is very helpful for people and often gives them answers to deep questions they have been asking themselves. In this way, a consultation is useful whether you choose to use your equilibrium bottle(s) or not.

The Aura-Soma philosophy recognises that there is really only one disease – not knowing one’s place in life or the meaning of this life. This is what results in resistance, stress and physical ailments. Thus, the Aura-Soma system aims to help you find and fulfil your own mission in life.

Understanding the colours you have chosen gives you the opportunity to recognise yourself at a deep level. The colours shed light on the big questions of life. What personal qualities, gifts and values do you wish to express in life? An Aura-Soma consult can help you see the growth opportunities contained within your greatest inner challenges. It encourages you to have compassion for yourself as you grow, and supports you to express your inner gifts and talents. The consultation will help you identify your best next step.

The Aura-Soma system helps you to find your direction, personal meaning and purpose in life. The better we see and know ourselves, the better equipped we are to make choices to create a fulfilling life for ourselves and reach our potential. Aura-Soma consults and products help you see, value and express your individuality.

In a nutshell, Aura-Soma helps you
SEE WHO YOU ARE
and then, inspires you to
LIVE YOUR MARK!
(That is, your life’s blueprint that is as unique as your fingerprint).

Another way of looking at it is, your four-bottle selection, is like reading a book telling a story about you, articulating what you know on some level to be true about your life experience. Many people have dated a new era in their life from having an Aura-Soma consultation. They are able to act with more clarity, compassion and confidence.

“How many a man has dated a new era in his life from the reading of a book! The book exists for us, perchance, that will explain our miracles and reveal new ones. The at present unutterable things we may find somewhere uttered.”

- Henry David Thoreau

What is the value of Aura-Soma consultations for Generation-Y employees in particular?

An Aura-Soma consultation is extremely motivating to Generation Y as the Aura-Soma system is aligned with the values of this generation. In particular their desire for…

• self-expression – the colours they resonate with the most reflects their greatest gifts and challenges which they can more readily express and tackle in their work life boosting their engagement levels.
• subjective wellbeing – they can discover stress solutions that will work best for them so as to be more productive and effective at work
• quality of life – they can satisfy their need for deeper meaning in life by recognising the key values they hold and also by seeing how they can make their own unique contribution to the work team.
• Interactive new experiences – The Aura-Soma consultation is a unique, cutting edge, personal and uplifting experience. This materially rich generation seeks new experiences for excitement and emotional fulfilment that they no longer get through acquiring more goods and possessions. The best performance rewards for this generation is therefore, experiences not things.

It is an experience that will enliven, inspire and enthuse them from the inside out as they are encouraged to “show their true colours” at work.

What are the benefits of conducting Aura-Soma consultations in the workplace?

As we are all constantly changing and evolving in our lives, Aura-Soma consultations help you gain insight and clarity along the way. As Socrates said: “An unexamined life is not worth living.” A consultation provides the time, space and information you need to help you make an honest assessment of where you have been, where you are now and where you are heading, and thus, can assist you in making the best possible choices in your life at any given time. As we are all busy with our outer lives an Aura-Soma consultation is a great way to bring our attention to what is going on in our inner world as well, which sometimes is otherwise neglected.

By providing your employees with a personal one-on-one consultation you are sending several positive and motivating messages to them including:

• You believe they each deserve personal time and attention
• Their ‘true colours’ are welcome and wanted at work
• Their unique gifts and talents are a valuable contribution to the work team
• Their personal development is important to you and your business
• You care about their general wellbeing – they will receive advice on effective solutions to stress
• You desire each person to find deeper meaning in their work and personal life
• You value and recognise the need for work-life balance
• You are a great employer

By rewarding your employees with this unique experience and sending such positively reinforcing messages you are feeding their motivation levels to encourage their continuous contribution to the performance success of your organisation.

What does an Aura-Soma consultation involve?

You will be invited to select the four Equilibrium bottles from the range of over 100 coloured bottles. You simply choose the bottles and colours that attract you the most. This is the most important part of the consultation; everything that follows in the consultation will be based on this choice.

The practitioner will help you explore what has been revealed through the colour selection you have made. Your Aura-Soma selection goes to the heart of any issue. It assists you to access your potential and correct the subtle energy imbalances that underlie disharmony.

You will leave your consultation with greater clarity and a sense of direction. Many people report a sense of wonder and delight in the process.

In an Aura-Soma consultation the focus is on awareness – there is no diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition or physical or psychological problem. Nor are any therapeutic claims made for the Aura-Soma products and they are not promoted as having a direct influence on the functioning on the physical body’s systems. Aura-Soma recommends that you consult a suitably qualified professional where necessary.

You will also be given the opportunity to purchase any of the Aura-Soma products and to personally experience their supportive energies.

How does the Aura-Soma colour system work?

There is vast scientific evidence to support the importance and influence of colour on human beings. Quantum physics has found that light-energy is the basic building block of all creation. In fact, Einstein said: “All matter is light vibrating at different frequencies.” This includes the human body.

Likewise, colour is light, vibrating at different wavelengths and frequencies. For example, in the colour spectrum red has the longest wavelength and slowest frequency, whereas violet has the shortest wavelength and fastest frequency. Thus, colour is a part of the underlying order of the universe and colour is an intrinsic part of who we are.

Aura-Soma means “light-body” and when applying the Equilibrium bottles, it works with the chakra energy centres of the human subtle energy body as described in many Eastern traditions, with each chakra (or subtle energy centre) corresponding to a rainbow colour, as shown below.

Colours can reveal underlying emotional and mental patterns and themes operating in an individual person’s life. The scientific answer to how colour impacts our body physically and on an emotional and mental level is explained in the following excerpts:

“…as Christopher Barber of the North Birmingham Health Service in England writes in the July 1999 British Journal of Nursing, the sensory-neural pathways that carry these messages [of colour] to the brain: ‘pass through the thalamus where they are implicated in either inhibition or enhanced action of neurotransmitters. Some of these neurotransmitters impact upon the physiological aspects of stress such as heart rate, muscle tension and blood pressure while others impact upon mental and emotional aspects.’ ”

“Light, colour and music therapy,” Oct 2001, Dr Stephen Juan
www.harpercollins.com.au/drstephenjuan/news_oct.htm

“The reason why colour affects us on such a deep level is because cells use light to communicate their bio-information to each other. In treatment with colour, which indeed is light, the cells accordingly pass the healing information associated with the specific colour chosen for the process from one cell to another.”

Cumming, Catherine and Italiano, Deborah. The Little Book of Colour Healing: Energy
London: Octopus Publishing Group Limited, 2002
pp.7-9

Sunlight is fundamental to our health and wellbeing. It is primarily through the eyes that sunlight enters our body, but it is also taken in through our skin and even the air we breathe. Light impulses entering through the eyes travel “not only to the visual cortex of the brain but also via the hypothalamus to the pituitary and pineal glands. The pituitary gland is known as the “master gland” as it regulates the hormones produced by the endocrine system. “Our feelings and emotions are directly affected by the balance or imbalance of hormones in the body.” The endocrine glands also “…control many of our body functions including our patterns of growth and sleep, our temperature control, our sexual drive, energy levels, metabolic rate and appetite.”

Chiazzari, Suzy. The Complete Book of Colour
Dorset, UK: Element Books Limited, 1998
pp.16-18

What are some key premises in the Aura-Soma system?

The intrinsic meaningfulness of colour is a key premise in the Aura-Soma system. We like to say: “You are the colours you choose”

The approach of the Aura-Soma system is often described as non-intrusive and self-selective. This is because individuals take responsibility for the consultation process by choosing the colours that most attract them. Nobody knows you better than you know yourself, and each of us can intuitively recognise ourselves in the coloured bottles. The role of the practitioner is to help you understand the colours you have chosen for yourself. Vicky Wall, the founder of the Aura-Soma Colour Care System often said “the greater guide lies within”.

When it comes to using the bottles and the other Aura-Soma products including pomanders and quintessences, practitioners provide guidelines on their use but ultimately trust that the individual will also use their own guidance on how to best use the product for themselves. (Although they are always for external use only).

What do the equilibrium bottles contain?

Vicky Wall, founder of the Aura-Soma system, described the equilibrium bottles as “living jewels” of essential oils, herb extracts and crystal energies. Each bottle is made of up two fractions, an oil fraction on the top and a water fraction on the bottom. The oil fraction contains natural colouring, lotus oil, essential oils and crystal energies. Within the water fraction there is natural colouring, herbal extracts and crystal energies and water from the Chalice Well, Glastonbury. Colour is at the heart of the system so the plant and crystal contents in each bottle are based on their colour signature. For example, amethyst and lavender correspond with violet fractions. Whereas, rose quartz and rose are appropriate for pink fractions.

When shaken together, for a short time an emulsion of 50% water and 50% oil is produced. Emulsions with these proportions of oil and water are ideally suited to penetrate the skin and Aura-Soma equilibrium bottles are a unique replica of this.

How do I use an equilibrium bottle?

To apply equilibrium, shake the bottle vigorously with your left hand for about five seconds to allow the two fractions to temporarily form a combined emulsion as well as establishing an energetic link between yourself and your bottle. Pour some of this liquid into the palm of your hand, and massage the liquid onto your skin in a complete band around the body at the level of the chakras to which the colours within the bottle relate. Remember, feel free to use your intuition to guide you in any further application of the oil keeping in mind they are for external use only.

It is recommended that you work with the products at a pace you feel comfortable. Aura-Soma is intended to be a supportive and gentle process. Due to the unique energetic link formed it is advised that only you should use and handle your bottle. As the equilibrium bottle works with you it can absorb some of your energies, this may result in changes to the appearance of the liquid including its colour. It is also advisable to keep the bottle out of direct sunlight or extremes of temperature to preserve its living energies.

Do I need to use a bottle on my body or is just having a consultation enough?

Vicky Wall, the founder of Aura-Soma used to say that to view the equilibrium bottles is like looking at a photo of your beloved, but to apply the contents onto the body is like holding them in your arms.

The consultation is an insightful experience where you see who you are because you see your true colours before your very eyes. It articulates emotional, mental and even spiritual patterns - those that you find challenging as well as those that reflect your gifts and talents. This information is very helpful for people and often gives them answers to deep questions they have been asking themselves. In this way, a consultation is useful whether you choose to use your equilibrium bottles or not.

The bottles provide ongoing support to you and allow you to embody and actively extend the insights gained in the consultation into your everyday life. The bottles seek to harmonise imbalances in the subtle body that originate from the lack of colour or overabundance of specific colours in your body. This rebalancing can affect you positively on many levels and the response will be unique to you. The bottles help you deal with emotional and mental blocks and encouraging you to express your strengths, gifts and talents.

How often should I have a consultation?

In my experience, it is very useful to have an Aura-Soma consultation about every six weeks. This seems to be the time frame that gives people time to work with the insights of the previous session and/or finish the bottle they may have chosen to apply on them. By this stage they are eager to check back in with themselves and take the next step forward, deeper into themselves.

The Aura-Soma colour care system is ideally suited to support you throughout life on an ongoing basis. It is truly a tool for your personal growth and development as it aids your inner self-awareness along the way. As we are constantly changing and evolving in our lives, Aura-Soma consultations help you gain insight and clarity along the way, keeping us on track in terms of living with integrity.

How can a little dual-coloured Aura-Soma equilibrium bottle encompass a person’s individuality especially when many different people may choose the same bottle?

As an Aura-Soma practitioner, I must say I have never experienced the same consultation twice. Every consultation is as unique as the individual that the bottles are mirroring.

Like a candid photograph - a true impression, a touch of who a person truly is, can be captured in a moment in time. This is how your Aura-Soma 4-bottle selection works. It is just like a snap shot of you in colour.

The colours to which an individual is attracted reveal underlying patterns on emotional, mental and even spiritual levels. These patterns influence how a person perceives the world and therefore their behaviour. If you are familiar with Jung’s concept archetypes, I would describe colours as archetypes. In revealing these patterns, this information aids people’s self-awareness, often confirming for the first time aspects of who they are. Aspects to themselves that they always knew deep down existed, yet they could not quite articulate, until now. This conscious clarity then helps them affirm who they are and also guide their future growth.

Download the Aura-Soma Colour System – Personal Stories/Testimonials PDF

Aura-Soma is a registered trademark of Aura-Soma Limited.

The Power of Art

By Suzanne Saad, founder of Breathe Human Resources

Art therapy is client-centred counselling which also includes artistic expression to help a person more fully express themselves and find the resources they need to respond to the challenges in their life.

Art, because it is creative and spontaneous involves both the left and right brain and this seems to connect people to a deeper part of themselves. This often allows them to be more accurate and less censored than when they communicate with their rational mind alone. You can get to the heart of a matter faster and easier through creating and reflecting on their art. In art therapy it is always about the process rather than the product. The art therapist provides the safe space and acts as an appreciative witness and trusted companion for this personal process to take place.

When we say ‘art’ it refers to working with symbols in many forms including drawing, painting, collage, clay, mask-work, writing, dance and movement and even processes such as myth, dream and ritual work.

The transpersonal approach not only sees the biological, emotional and mental dimensions of a person but also is concerned with the true and unique essence of a person. It recognises that common feeling in people of seeking and sensing that there is something more to and behind life beyond what our five senses tell us – some call it soul or spirit. The transpersonal perspective acknowledges the need within many people to connect with a higher part of themselves, a higher power, the collective story/experience of humanity, a greater cause or deeper meaning in their life and even to an experience of an expanded state of consciousness that goes beyond the ordinary waking state, such as meditation for example. The transpersonal approach acknowledges and explores the significant impact these needs can have on an individual’s life experience. In this way, the transpersonal approach in many ways models the shamanic/medicine ways of indigenous cultures translated into our modern context.

The transpersonal approach also assumes that acknowledgement of all the aspects within a person is necessary to reach a sense of wholeness within the self. That is, the transpersonal, along with embracing the qualities a person accepts within themselves, also makes room for the unaccepted, lost or hidden parts of a person to be explored so a person can move towards a more complete and authentic expression of themselves. In this way the intended outcome is a movement towards self-realisation and authenticity rather than an adjustment to a societal norm.

Key outcomes of transpersonal art therapy

The basic premise is the provision of both the space and time for personal reflection with the added benefit of an appreciative (rather than judgemental) and trusted witness. As Socrates said, “an unexamined life is not worth living.”’ And as another saying goes… “To be loved is to be known and celebrated.” These are the foundational elements of Transpersonal Art Therapy.

The basic aim of the reflection process is to gain greater honesty and clarity about yourself and your life for the purposes of being able to respond rather than just react to life in a way that rings true to your own integrity and priorities. This gives you the insight necessary to decide what you wish to change in your life – what you wish to add or subtract from your life. Like the metaphor of breathing, what you desire to inhale (take in) and exhale (let go). In a nutshell, to clarify and hence focus on what is most meaningful to you in life.

To get to this place art therapy provides the opportunity for an individual to:

1. have their story heard and honoured with respect
2. integrate and retrospectively reframe/interpret their story in a way that empowers them and in a way that fosters a creative and affirmative relationship to life.
3. remember their own personal power and authority to choose who and how they wish to be in the world knowing the greater guide lies within.
4. discover and harness personal resources to help them cope, respond and overcome challenges in their life.
5. uncover, build and express their authenticity as much as possible, being who they are rather than who others want them to be. Being the author of their own life rather than living the scripts handed down to them. That is, the focus is on self-realisation rather than adjustment.
6. create a sense of congruence within their life as a whole. Where there is correspondence between who they are, how they interact with others and their overall worldview.

The power of art in healing

• Symbols found in art making can answer the questions of Who am I? And Who do I choose to be or What is my potential? It is a place to define one’s identity, what we wish to inhale, to take in and make a part of ourselves. In this way it can be personal medicine eg. stillness and strength of a rock or sensitivity and flow of a river, as qualities that serve or inspire you.
• Art provides a final product and permanence. Even though art therapy emphasises process clients are also rewarded with a final physical product. It also can extend the process as it provides insight and a record of their work that continues to speak overtime. In choosing what to do with the work, the process is also strengthened eg. Hang it up, burn it, paint over it, smash it, bury it, give it as a gift etc.
• Art can be a pleasurable, relaxing and meditative activity promoting a sense of joy and time-out from life. In this way, art-making has an eros, life-giving quality that energises and rejuvenates. We may enter a zone which connects us to our inner self and the resources that abide there as we hear “the still small voice within.
• The creative and choice-making aspect of the art process can be translated into everyday life. As such, art acts as an empowering reminder that we are responsible for our own lives. That we can establish a creative and affirmative relationship with life.
• Art uses the powerful realm of the symbolic. Symbols can express deep feelings or experiences without having to refer directly to specific details. Symbols allow the containment of details so that it is easier to hold and digest and therefore integrate and embody that which the symbol signifies. Symbols simplify and order complexity and chaos.
• Art can serve as a commemoration of the past – special memories or people, and as such it is a way to maintain a connection with them. Likewise, art can be an affirmation of the present or a dedication to your future. It gives form to an inner intention and a way to work with the intangible concept of time.
• Art promotes the exploration and expression of feelings and one’s inner world and can be less threatening and more meaningful than words.
• Art can also provide for more individualised expression thus allowing the artist to feel better understood. Eg. you can show your unique meaning of “freedom” instead of just saying “freedom” and have the other person evoke their personal associations.
• Art allows the expression of seemingly contradictory ideas and feelings simultaneously. All the emotion and experience is there to see at once with no room for a time-lapse or disconnection. This creates a sense of immediacy and allows for the full presence of the experience. The pieces of the puzzle can therefore more easily be made sense of and put together.
• Art encourages communication and discussion. It serves as a catalyst or starting-point for verbal conversation. Then, by reflecting on the feelings expressed can come the acceptance of those feelings. Also, by giving the space both literal and figurative for your feelings, it affirms that they are valued and validated.
• Art encourages self-awareness and growth – through reflecting on what was a spontaneous artistic expression we can surprise and meet ourself in a new way. This makes way for new insights about ourselves and our life. The inner world/unconscious is given a voice and a tangible place to be in the world, making it more accessible and real, and as such, more readily integrated.
• The art process can reveal our inner tendencies by being a microcosm of the macrocosm of our life. How we do one thing is how we do everything. Eg. you may recognise a repeated inner-dialogue that is activated whenever you approach the unknown. Such things as self-judgement, perfectionism or fearlessness may also be encountered. We can then establish new or enhance existing patterns in how we approach our art that can be translated into everyday life. The art-process becomes a metaphor for how we live our life.
• Art helps to organise and regain a sense of control of our lives. Art provides the safety of containment and yet gives enough space for freedom of expression. It can be a place to contain deep/overwhelming feelings so as to feel able to be productive in everyday life.
• Art facilitates a cathartic effect and kinaesthetic release. It can allow destructive energy to be expressed and sublimated into a constructive and safe channel i.e. venting. Exhaling or letting go of that which does not serve you. Eg. Clay as a resistive medium helps release rage and can relieve chest and arm pain due to the force and movement required to form/shape the clay. In this way, art is a way to honour the shadow side of self through allowing it the space to be expressed and acknowledged. This is a way of achieving self-acceptance and affirmation that all of me is “okay” as I am.

Gen Y value self-expression...

At breathe:HR we value self-expression. Our vision statement includes: the intention to see, value and express your individuality, to “show your true colours” and to help others to do the same.

Turquoise is the colour that resonates most strongly with me. It mirrors the key qualities within me.

One way I demonstrate the turquoise within me is through my hobby of writing children’s stories. It is my way of expressing the creativity, playfulness, idealist and heart-voice within me.

Here are two of my children’s stories for you to enjoy reading. I hope your child (or your inner-child) loves reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them!

New Generations At Work - Attracting, Recruiting, Retraining & Training Gen Y

Groundbreaking research into Generation Y and their attitudes to work.

www.mccrindle.com.au/resources.htm

Spirit at Work: The search for deeper meaning in the workplace

Harvard Business School Article: 10/12/1999

Organizations are pondering intangibles like "soul" and "spirit" to help attract and maintain a motivated, performance-boosting workforce. Books about the "ensoulment" of corporate life are hitting best-seller lists. Conferences on spirituality and business are springing up all over the United States and Canada. Web sites dedicated to such topics now pepper the Internet. In this article from the HBS Bulletin, six Harvard Business School alumni and three faculty members with various perspectives provide insights on the issue of spirit at work.
By Marguerite Rigoglioso

From the Harvard Business School Bulletin, April 1999.

Read the full article: hbswk.hbs.edu/archive/644.html

Meaningful Management

by Margaret Kubicek 13 July 2005
Personnel Today

The latest thinking on leadership focuses on tapping into the universal desire for meaning and purpose in life. With the principles of emotional intelligence (EQ) now firmly entrenched in leadership concepts, another emergent trend is working its way into people development practice: spiritual intelligence (SQ).

Read the full article:
www.personneltoday.com/Articles/2005/07/13/30761/meaningful-management.html

How to ... create meaning at work

by Scott Beagrie, 6 February 2007
Human Resources Magazine

xA recent survey by human capital management consultancy Penna revealed that one in four workers say their job plays a vital part in who they are, while an equivalent number of managing directors and directors believe they get more meaning from work than from their home life and friends.

Read the full article:
www.humanresourcesmagazine.com.au/articles/7F/0C048B7F.asp?Type=61&Category=1524

New Competencies for HR: Researchers have updated the portfolio of competencies for high-performing HR professionals

By Robert J Grossman June 2007 Vol. 52, No. 6
Society for Human Resource Management HR Magazine

This year, they’ve released an all-new 2007 Human Resource Competency Study (HRCS). The findings and interpretations lay out professional guidance for HR for at least the next few years… Researchers identified six core competencies that high-performing HR professionals embody. [One of the six being the role of:]

The Cultural Steward recognizes, articulates and helps shape a company’s culture by:

• Facilitating change
• Crafting culture
• Valuing culture
• Personalizing culture (helping employees find meaning in their work, managing work/life balance, encouraging innovation).

Read the full article:
www.shrm.org/hrmagazine/articles/0607/0607grossman.asp

Our Soul at Work

By Robert Rabbin

We all want to enhance our experience of work and enrich our work environments with greater meaning, purpose, joy, and deep human connection. We want our work to be a place of inspiration, where we can find full creative outlet for our deepest values and highest vision. What are they? Let’s look inside our own self, into our own soul, for guidance.

If we're going to use the word soul in a business context, we'd better define it. Otherwise, this single word - often thought of as abstract, esoteric, and impractical - might create confusion, doubt, and maybe even cynicism. There are many definitions of soul, some more precise than others, put forward by various religious, spiritual, and metaphysical belief systems. For me, the words soul and spirit refer to the vital principle or animating force within all living beings.

Soul refers to those gorgeous moments of self-transcendence in which we experience communion with the whole of existence, in which we find ourselves intimately connected to everything and everyone. Soul evokes a dimension of living which swamps our little boats with love, and washes us out to sea where there is only silence and awe and wonder.

How can we integrate these elevated experiences of soul, these radical moments of pure living, with our sense of self in the mundane world? How can our work feed our soul and how can our soul feed our work? How are we to embody and demonstrate the values of soul at work, where so many other value systems demand our loyalty? What are the implications of soul for our lives at work?

Here are some that I have discovered:

Soul implies connection. This means we experience a real and living bond with others, and we honor this by treating them with respect, kindness, compassion, and dignity.

Soul implies listening. This means we develop an attitude of openness, curiosity, and patience, so we can truly hear and understand what others are saying.

Soul implies beauty. This means that our actions must preserve the natural beauty of life in all its manifestations. It means we will not destroy, pollute, defile, or degrade any expression of life.

Soul implies truth. This means we must speak the truth, we must be accountable for our actions, and we must be straightforward in our dealings with each other and with everyone who is impacted by what our organization does. It means we are bound to be honest and transparent in our actions and intentions.

Soul implies balance and harmony. This means we must keep our priorities in order and give equal time to our own personal growth, to our families, to our communities - to those pursuits and activities that enrich our whole life. Recognizing the need for balance, we will not be compulsive or greedy, we will not sacrifice the integrity of this moment for a future promise.

Soul implies universality. This means that we are all shareholders in certain basic values. What do we all want? We all want to be appreciated, to be accepted, to make a positive contribution to others. We want to feel that our lives and our labors make a positive difference. We want to give, to serve, to be the reason for someone else's happiness and well-being. A popular bumper sticker reminds us to serve others in these words: Practice random acts of kindness.

Soul implies inspiration and deep passion. This means that we live and work from our hearts, from what we truly love. If we follow our hearts to work, we will not need to be motivated by some cheap management trick to give our best effort. Our heart will always ask us to give our best, for the sake of love and passion. We will not need to be bribed. Enthusiasm, cooperation, and commitment are the hallmarks of a heartfelt life.

Soul implies joy. This means that we work from joy, with joy, and towards joy. This is not a Pollyanna principle, because I think that everything we do in life is for the sake of joy. Let joy be our standard: if joy is present, we are doing things right, and doing things well. If not, we are doing things wrong, and we should stop and figure out how to get back on track. Can you imagine a performance review whose only question was: Please rate the amount of joy you experience, on a scale of one to 10.

Soul implies going beyond conventional boundaries. This means we should always feel free to risk new ideas and new approaches to old problems. This means we should develop our minds and bodies and spirits so that they glow with creativity and innovation. This means we would welcome boldness, diversity, and initiative. We would be open to continuous learning and growth; and not just for the sake of profit, but for the sake of being creative, dynamic human beings.

Soul implies clarity and awareness. This means that we speak and act mindfully. Mindfulness is the moment-to-moment awareness of our true motives and intentions. Mindfulness means to be deeply in touch with our thoughts and emotions every moment. Mindfulness means that we are able to see what is actually happening around us, and to not be confused or misled by our own projected fantasies and ideas of what is happening. This means we are committed to illuminating the unlit aspects of our subconscious that often drive us without our knowing.

These are some of the things I mean by soul, and some of the implications of soul in the workplace, as I see it. I am not proposing an exact formula, for it is the task of each person to give authentic expression to their soul.

But I do believe with my whole heart that we must at all times speak of soul, liberate soul, nourish soul, recognize soul, and reward soul in the workplace. This is how we can redeem our life from tedium, how we can work with a full spirit, and how we can honor our society.

© Robert Rabbin. All rights reserved

Robert Rabbin is an executive advisor, keynote speaker, workshop leader, counselor, and author. He is the creator of RealTime Speaking. For contact information, please visit www.realtimespeaking.com.