Here is what we’ve achieved. A sleep disorder. An addiction to caffeine. A marginal pay hike wrapped in convincing justifications filled with meaningful yet unfulfilling words such as opportunity, future, performance, improvement and growth. A continuous push to rapidly adapt to the changing environment. A sense of distrust along with a realization that we are truly dispensable.

That’s right, dear hard-working sleep-deprived workaholic friends, we are dispensable. We have a saturation point. We have an expiry date.

For the most part of our work life, we are made to feel otherwise. We are trapped into believing that we are an integral part of the environment, one that seems cohesive on the outside, the entities within that give it life are dependent on one another merely trying to sustain. It is a deliberate attempt to manipulate our minds into thinking that our sacrifices equals opportunities to grow. It is a strategic attempt to lure fresh minds into the corporate work culture trap.

The only way out is self-realization, that we are indeed dispensable. Don’t let our egos be fed into thinking that we are not. The sooner we can come to terms with that, the sooner we will get on a path of learning towards adding value to our own brand – the self. We begin to channel our energy in to rebuilding our self-confidence and regaining self-trust.

Do you believe in yourself? If you were to step out into the crazy world, do you have what it takes to survive? Or do you want to be that piece of furniture in an antique shop with a price tag that is set without realizing its true value? Your call.

This post is copy-paste from an email I received, originally written by an anonymous writer – most likely someone who works or was working with Volvo. I thank my friend and the long list of chain emailers leading back to the anonymous writer, for sharing these profound thoughts with me – what I call “Words of Wisdom”.

It’s been 18 years since I joined Volvo, a Swedish company. Working for them has proven to be an interesting experience. Any project here takes 2 years to be finalized, even if the idea is simple and brilliant. It’s a rule.

Globalize processes have caused in us (all over the world) a general sense of searching for immediate results. Therefore, we have come to possess a need to see immediate results. This contrasts greatly with the slow movements of the Swedish. They, on the other hand, debate, debate, debate, hold x quantity of meetings and work with a slowdown scheme. At the end, this always yields better results.

Said in another words:
1. Sweden is about the size of San Pablo , a state in Brazil .
2. Sweden has 2 million inhabitants.
3. Stockholm , has 500,000 people.
4. Volvo, Escania, Ericsson, Electrolux, Nokia are some of its renowned companies. Volvo supplies to the NASA.

The first time I was in Sweden , one of my colleagues picked me up at the hotel every morning. It was September, bit cold and snowy. We would arrive early at the company and he would park far away from the entrance (2000 employees drive their car to work). The first day, I didn’t say anything, either the second or third. One morning I asked, “Do you have a fixed parking space? I’ve noticed we park far from the entrance even when there are no other cars in the lot.” To which he replied, “Since we’re here early we’ll have time to walk, and whoever gets in late will be late and need a place closer to the door. Don’t you think so?” Imagine my face.

Nowadays, there’s a movement in Europe named Slow Food. This movement establishes that people should eat and drink slowly, with enough time to taste their food, spend time with the family, friends, without rushing. Slow Food is against its counterpart: the spirit of Fast Food and what it stands for as a lifestyle. Slow Food is the basis for a bigger movement called Slow Europe, as mentioned by Business Week. Basically, the movement questions the sense of “hurry” and “craziness” generated by globalization, fueled by the desire of “having in quantity” (life status) versus “having with quality”, “life quality” or the quality of being”.

French people, even though they work only 35 hours per week, are more productive than Americans or British. Germans have established 29 hour workweeks and have seen their productivity been driven up by 20%. This slow attitude has brought forth the US ‘s attention, pupils of the fast and the “do it now!”. This no-rush attitude doesn’t represent doing less or having a lower productivity. It means working and doing things with greater quality, perfection, with more attention to detail and less stress. It means reducing rejects and wastage. It means reestablishing family values, friends, free and leisure time. Taking the “now”, present and concrete, versus the “global”, undefined and anonymous future. It means taking humans’ essential values, the simplicity of living. It stands for a less coercive work environment, more happy, lighter and more productive where humans enjoy doing what they know best how to do.

It’s time to stop and think on how companies need to develop serious quality with no-rush that will increase productivity and the quality of products and services, without losing the essence of spirit.

In the movie, Scent of a Woman, there’s a scene where Al Pacino asks a girl to dance and she replies, “I can’t, my boyfriend will be here any minute now”. To which Al responds, “A life is lived in an instant”. Then they dance to a tango.

Many of us live our lives running behind time, but we only reach it when we die of a heart attack or in a car accident rushing to be on time. Others are so anxious of living the future that they forget to live the present, which is the only time that truly exists. We all have equal time throughout the world. No one has more or less. The difference lies in how each one of us does with our time. We need to live each moment.

As John Lennon said, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans”.

Congratulations for reading till the end of this message. There are many who will have stopped in the middle so as not to waste time in this globalized world.

Ok. So I lied. It’s not a brand new concept. It’s been around for ages but looks like some leaders seem to have forgotten of the existence of this age old skill, a skill we can develop once again. To master it, there are no short cuts. It takes a lot of practice and with enough practice, as Ed Brodow points out in his book about negotiations, we become “Active Listeners”.

Active listening requires patience. Brodow reminds us in his book that Communication is, contrary to what we all are taught from a young age, is not about getting your point across. Instead, it is the art of shutting up. I think that’s a neat trick to become effective communicators – just remember to shut up. Makes a lot of sense, doesn’t it? Unfortunately for us, that seems to be the toughest part. I am not an active listener. In conversations, I am always so eager to put my point across that I almost always catch myself saying “Sorry for interrupting but…” and in retrospective I wish I hadn’t. Well, wishing isn’t going to be enough but the following tricks will start us on the right track in conversations:

1. (repeat) Remember to Shut Up

2. Ask Questions (keeps us engaged)

3. Make Eye Contact (make the connection)

4. (and my favorite) The Imaginary Conversation Ball

Let me tell you about the imaginary conversation ball. A friend taught me this one and not only does this help us from hijacking a conversation, its also so much fun. This is a good one to help practice and develop our listening skills.

Imagine there is a ball. When you start speaking, you are holding the ball. Then pass the ball to the other person when you are done saying what you wanted to say. Let the other person speak without interrupting and wait until the ball is passed back to you. It a fun way to communicate but it is also tough because you will have this urge to talk. But don’t, till its you turn. Try it. It works.

So there. Let’s bring listening back into our conversations and work our way to removing the communication disconnect.

Thank you for listening.

Your Body Speaks