Sense and Sustainability

In the light of the 3 great global crises we are facing at the current time - the global economic crisis, the global environmental crisis and the global security crisis, I propose that we introduce a new set of values and principles that will govern our natural impulses (which we have come to value). In this post, I am putting forward a rough draft - we need to evolve this further and set this as a foundation for a better life. While they may seem obvious and self-evident in a casual read, it should be borne in mind that while that might be so (nothing new is new is being said here, frankly), our educational systems - particularly in B-schools, do not impart these values to students.

The following principles, presented in the format "(x) over (y)", are to be read as "Value and prioritize (x) over (y)" and "Let (x) govern (y)". It does not mean that per se (y) is bad and undesirable, but that there is a higher good over (y) and that is (x), and that (y) should not be pursued at the cost of (x). Business schools today are mostly focused on encouraging (y) and seldom, if at all, mention (x) as a priority. And never as a governing principle over (y).

• Responsibility over Opportunity - exploit opportunity, but do so responsibly
  
• Assimilation over Growth - pursue growth, but assimilate as you grow
  
• Pace over Expediency - find the right speed for doing things, do not chase speed at the cost of other parameters
  
• Sustainability over Efficiency - look for the larger good in improvement, not just a short-term cheaper faster better approach
  
• Quality over Quantity - what cannot be measured is a bigger challenge for management, learn to deal with it
  
• Synthesis over Analysis - pursue analytical rigor but give due importance to other and more creative competencies
  
• Contribution over Achievement - ask what you have given, not just what you have achieved
  
• Wisdom over Knowledge & Intelligence - if knowledge is power and power corrupts, have the wisdom to not fall into this trap
  

I've posted elaborate explanations for each, under the same title at my other blog. Here, I decided to keep it short and skip the explanations. And as I said earlier, this is a rough draft. I would love to know what you think. 

Posted via email from HyperActiveX's (Pre)Posterous Posts