An Invitation for Change
How To Pivot Humanity Towards Positive Transformation
Human history is reaching an unprecedented time when ideas, information, theories are pivotal in producing and defining reality (Cooperrider, 1987). Indeed, symbolic human natures (Cooperrider, 1987; Jung, 1961; Miller, 2004), unlike the physical, mechanistic sciences, are full of potential and indefinite possibilities, which supports the humanistic, generative theory that values ideas and meaning systems especially in the post-industrial and information-based society (Cooperrider & Srivastva, 1987). In other words, when we recognize that the logical positivist viewpoint goes beyond deterministic, pre-programmed forces , societies or organizations become open to various interpretations, change, and self-enhancement, unleashing their capacities for advancing meaningful life (Cooperrider, 1987).
Broaden Our Consciousness
In the past two decades, positive psychology has developed rapidly, making an impact not only in management, but also in technology, law, etc. (Donaldson et al., 2019). According to broaden-and-build theory (Fredrickson, 2001) and enrichment-based model (Lam et al., 2016), positive experiences and citizenship behaviors energize employees and broaden their full range of thought-action choices, which helps build their personal resources. Therefore, the ability to generate and maintain positive experience as a human strength is fundamental to our flourishing (Fredrickson, 2001). Indeed, research has shown that positive emotions prompt individuals to engage and partake in adaptive activities (Cacioppo et al., 1999; Carver & Scheier, 1990; Fredrickson, 2001). Such emotions can broaden one’s perspective on situations and provide dynamic, flexible, and inclusive views on others (Chang et al., 2012; Fredrickson, 2004). Such dynamics are especially pivotal when it comes to societal change because “momentum and sustainable changing require positive affect and social bonding” (Bushe & Kassam, 2005, p. 167), such as hope and camaraderie (Bushe & Kassam, 2005; Ludema et al., 1997).
Social and behavioral sciences can articulate a vision of a good life that comes from identifying, amplifying, and nurturing strengths to buffer weaknesses and adversaries in life (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000). Such strengths include valued experience such as flow and hope, as well as civic virtues such as responsibility and tolerance (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000). Therefore, positive psychology is more than just keeping people happy. Rather, it is about adapting what is best to unique situations with all its complexity (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000). Indeed, even during a chaotic situation as World War II, there were people who kept their purposeful stances because of their internal character (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000). Therefore, I invite you to embrace the reality with a positive attitude and faith, and see what future holds for us.
Integrate Our Shadow
Like everything under light has a shadow, we all have psychological shadows, such as repressed feelings, and those are not easy to integrate into our consciousness. If society overemphasizes profits and thus neglects other humanistic values, it may have a negative effect. Nike’s brand suffered from such mistake with their unfair labor practices in underdeveloped countries for years (Huston, 2019; Kolodziejski, 2004). Such cases where financial pursuit causes value imbalance are not uncommon (e.g. Enron’s scandal); therefore, we need to understand and cope with shadows as we strive for success in economy (Kolodziejski, 2004).
Human beings, as individuals or groups, tend to strive for an identity that is different from others (Gray, 2003). It makes us diverse but also leads to conflicts if we do not appreciate such differences. Why? Firstly, there are basic cultural assumptions, taken for granted, that guide everyday behaviors (Schein, 2017). Such assumptions are hard to change because involved restructuring of shared meanings and values may cause anxiety (Kolodziejski, 2004; Schein, 2017). Secondly, different identities may trigger psychological discomfort because what one values is oppressed by the other, or vice versa (Fitzgerald et al., 2010; Gemmill, 1986; Gray, 2003). In fact, the process of integrating one’s shadow into consciousness is beneficial to both individual growth and societal transformation, stretching abilities to tolerate polarities and pursuits that seem to be contradictory or incompatible (Kolodziejski, 2004). Shadow, containing the full range of repressed feelings and thoughts that are considered unacceptable, is also where we can find our censored strengths (Fitzgerald et al., 2010).
As we strive for our full potential, let us learn how to deal with differences and create a win-win situation for everyone (Covey, 2011). Differences will be our strengths when we appreciate them consciously. According to the theory of endosymbiosis in paramecium, mitochondrion and chloroplast came together so paramecium can do both respiration and photosynthesis at the same time (He et al., 2019). Why don’t we learn from this ancient philosophy and partner with each other so that we as a species reach our full potential during times of change? There are so many ways to overcome hurdles (e.g. Eisler & Fry, 2019; Rosenberg, 2015). Let us come together and flourish in partnership.
References
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About The Author:
Xi ‘Rita’ Yang is an organizational psychology doctoral student and research consultant with HireWisdom.org. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.
