Dear business associates
Many people are finding themselves increasingly questioning today’s economic system. The destruction of the environment, the rationalisation pressure and the hectic pace is raising doubt for some that economic progress is still improving our quality of life.
The excesses of an ever more unconscionable striving for success and profit at any cost and the associated financial scandals are also contributors.
Have we lost our sense for balance and life’s essentials
within this ceaseless momentum?
More and more people are suffering and becoming ill under this system. People are not machines, but living and fragile systems. Daily we all witness life’s dramatic increase in complexity and speed. Many companies are trying to meet these realities by increasing pressures internally, creating control mechanisms and exercising a general mistrust of its employees.
This will not work in the long run.
A sensible economic system should work with and not against human nature, and ultimately with and not against the principles of living systems.
Natural living systems have the capacity of creating sustainable shared value for the entire ecosystem with maximum productivity, and this with minimal expenditure of energy and while maintaining maximum adaptability.
The notion of empathy is increasingly being raised in relation to our working environment. Showing empathy means to exercise compassion with one’s fellow humans, to not only understand others on an objective level but also on an emotional one.
Exercising emotions when among family and friends is of course easier than when in the work place, yet it is precisely there that empathy is receiving ever greater importance – when interacting with employees, while communicating within a team and during presentations.
Those who communicate their concerns with empathy have a much greater chance of receiving consideration. For years the traits for success have predominantly been strength, self-assertion and seriousness; this can make changing management styles difficult indeed.
Yet, in principle, it is not difficult at all to act with empathy, since it is in our nature to care about people. But this must be voluntary and can’t be forced or prescribed.
Equally important to the concern for others is also being mindful of one’s own feelings and self and always asking “do I feel well and am I glad to do it?”.
Only those who know their own emotions,value them and act in accordance with them, can also show empathy for others.
The turn of the year can be a good time to think about empathy, to discover new things and apply new things. The world can only be transformed if we change ourselves.
The CREALET team warmly thanks you for the confidence you have placed in us.
For the turn of the year, we wish you much joy, rest and a Happy New Year.
Walter Wirz, CEO