Feeling @ Home @ Work

 

First we had Ergonomics...people in lab coats manipulating average bodies into work spaces according to physics and static, “optimal” biomechanical alignment.
 

 
Then, the concept of Presence recently emerged on the work scene....real-time, conscious awareness of thoughts, somatic sensations, emotions and breathing....all anchoring awareness to the present time and task.
 
 
Like chocolate and peanut butter, meant to be!
 
 
  • Why do we need to do more and what influences are creating a demand for something new?
  • What are the long-term implications of the two together?
  • How do you merge the two?

 

 Why do we need ErgoPresence?

 
The need for ErgoPresence is driven by a variety of unique circumstances specific to this time in history. All of these circumstances are related to biological reality of increasing speed and complexity being the natural order of systems development. As time passes systems move faster and with greater complexity. Consider this list of factors in human work relationships:
 
  • Technological advances generating increased speed of communication, delivery of service and 24/7 connectivity to work and customers.
  • The increasing interdependence of markets, finances, ecological impact and human resource allocation.
  • Increased rate of career changes, focus on service orientation and collaborative relationships with decreased employment stability for both employees and employers.
  • New physiological demands of the human nervous system and structure related to all of the above.
  • The need for increased creativity and collaboration within the workforce while decreasing healthcare costs.
In summary, the rate of change coupled with new demands on the individual human pose never before studied challenges and opportunities. The solutions of both the industrial and information ages lack the integral, complex capacity to offer sustainable technologies needed today.
 
What are the long-term implications in developing ErgoPresence?
 
The bookshelves and seminar postings are filled with terms such as “Whole Brain” “Transformative Management” “Organizational Change” “Sustainable Leadership” etc. Unfortunately with few exceptions the material offered as “transformative” is merely industrial principles of simplistic, mechanistic nature. Further there is almost no mention of the unique and serious demands on the health of those living within the evolving systems. ErgoPresence fills that need.
 
Consider the term and tagline: ErgoPresence: Feeling @ Home @ Work.
 
Ergo: The work, the heat, the energy that moves. Whole brain experience is no longer satisfied with linear biomechanical force assessment, but includes issues of motivation, inspiration, collaboration and creativity.
Presence: The practice and experience of the individual AND organization being fully aware of the present reality of thoughts, sensations, implications and quality of action as it pertains to the moment, the past and the future: Expanded consciousness for the individuals and the institutions. Not just a thought process, but whole-organism, continuous real-time, embodied experience of reality.
Feeling: Acknowledging the value and importance of sensing (pre-sensing) to health, creativity and quality of sustainable choices. Not limited to emotional responses, but includes the importance of the awareness of physical sensation and alignment in “moving” actions with effectiveness both literally and figuratively. The new challenges have no historical correlates to deduce next action steps via the front of the brain: the 21st century needs not just the whole brain, but the whole person contributing to include “gut” instincts and intuitions that we now know utilize the same neuropeptides as the linear thought processes.
Home: Technology has blurred the final two terms of work and home. In ErgoPresence, “home” is a unique subjective experience of being at ease, comfortable, safe and connected to something larger and more important than oneself. Historically this might have occurred with family, church, school, employer, etc. Key question: Right now, is the person or organization able to sustain a balance between all of the systems in play and feel the comfort of “home”? Or are they experiencing a week long bad bed, noisy air conditioning unit with loud neighbors kind of feeling?
Work: Work that dishonors the dignity of the human being sucks the life out of the individual and organization. Bad work stations with great mission and management can be dealt with easily. State of the art chairs and desks with obnoxious up line and down line associates delivering meaningless service or products is not sustainable.
 
ErgoPresence: Feeling @ Home @ Work incorporates the best of modern mind~body science, social creativity and organizational change. Not a theory, but now a proven technique for increasing job satisfaction, burnout and effectiveness in a workplace experiencing increased stress and demands. See my study at the Courage Center for real world evidence.
ErgoPresence is the science and art of workplace creativity and purpose. Simple technologies coupled with increased awareness. Robust to handle every work setting; Guaranteed to generate change. Built on science and sustained by practice.
For more information contact Dr. Taylor.