Post on 25-Dec-2015
The Map of Meaning- A Career Compass
Dr Marjolein Lips-Wiersma, University of Canterbury, New Zealand
Lani Morris, BA, Dip Journ, MBA, MSc, Holistic Development Group
www.holisticdevelopment.org.nz
What is meaningful work?
Not an abstract inquiry with little hope of being answered……….
…………but a fundamental question: what is the nature of being human?
Developing the inner self
– “We have many discussions about ‘what is the right thing to do here’”
– “With new responsibilities parts of myself emerged – such as confidence, detachment - that I did not know I had. I was blossoming”
– “I can be me in this organisation. I can dress in feminine clothes, be serious, be light, be me”
Serving Others
“I work for a company that does good work”
“When people come into the shop, sometimes I am the only person they are going to talk to today. My boss doesn’t like me spending time with them, but I do it anyway.”
Unity with Others
“The company for which I work asked us to articulate our values. I now realise that I share these values with many others in the organisation. It makes a difference.”
Expressing full potential
“There is an inherent meaning in mastering something. When something comes out of my hands that I know to be good, it is a great feeling”
Reality of Self and Circumstances
We will always battle with imperfection
The latin word ‘humilitas’ has at its’ root ‘humus’, the earth. Humility is befriending our earthly gravity, the world of our instincts, material demands or needs, and shadowsides. Humility is the courage to see reality.
Embrace our earthliness from which we often also get a clearer perspective on who we are and our relationship with the transcendent.
Reality of Self and Circumstances
“There is nothing wrong with all of this mission and vision and values stuff itself. However if we are not allowed to articulate where we do not and cannot live up to this, it feels as if we mock something that is really quite profound”.
So, what?How to use the Map of Meaning
• At the beginning of a career• In times of stagnation• In times of turbulence• To plot a new direction• At end of career
• Individually or with groups
So what does it really do?
It helps us make sense of a situation
“Sense making involves turning circumstances into a situation that is comprehended explicitly in words and that serves as a spring board to action.”
Weick, K.E./ Sutcliffe, K.M., Obstfeld, D. Organizational Science, July/August 2005 vol 16 no 4409-421
Lani Morris
www.holisticdevelopment.org.nzlanimorris@holisticdevelopment.org.nz021 516 042