Creativity in Organizations (Part 9 of 9)

the map is not the territory

Allowing ourselves to function inside an organizational silo is just as detrimental as being exiled or excommunicated. If we are exiled, we will never know the territory of relationship and shared understanding. If we are siloed, we will remain beholden to a static map (or a small piece of it) in a dynamic, expanding universe. 

It is through creation, improvisation and consideration of the abstract that we find meaning. It is through meaning that we are connected to others. It is through those connections that we may see the bigger picture.

Unless we are working in concert with others, we may never know the sweet reward of lifting each other as we climb.

If you don’t occasionally return home from your vision quest — to rest and distill what you’ve seen — your mirror will remain clouded and unable to reflect or recognize the beauty and potential in those other sojourners along the trail.

If you are not committed to meaning-making, to engaging in the creative process, to dancing and singing and telling your story, you will find yourself stuck, paralyzed, holding on too tightly to brittle outdated maps that crumble in your fingers, or flying in a circle because you have only one good wing.

When the components within the individual are harmonized, and the individual is in harmony with the community, communities can create unlimited meaning and value. They can export and translate that meaning to the world beyond.

The hallmark of any great organization lies as much in their poetry as in their treasure maps. While the innovation opportunity may be in knowing how these maps and resources fit together, it’s the spark of creativity that resources the world.

READ PART 8