Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a French Jesuit priest, philosopher and palaeontologist, believed that biological evolution tends towards an increase in complexity and consciousness. He described the evolution of the universe as a progression from the physical to the spiritual. Convinced that matter and spirit are intrinsically linked, he said that "the world will either be conscious or it will not".
I subscribe to this vision and promote the concept of 'Conscious Leadership'. Humanity needs to raise its level of consciousness.
As leaders, we need to set ourselves a 'SMART' objective and monitor progress using a simple performance indicator. But before we start, it's essential to agree on the definition of consciousness, a multifaceted concept encompassing self-perception, awareness of the external world and the capacity for moral judgment.
We can distinguish three perspectives
SPIRITUAL
Consciousness is seen as a deep connection with a higher reality, an inner voice guiding towards truth, ethics and service to others. It includes an awareness of self and others, emphasising the importance of service and compassion.
ENTREPRENEURIAL
Consciousness is integrated with professional ethics, social responsibility and sustainability. It focuses on informed decision-making, ethical leadership and the impact of decisions on stakeholders and society. Depending on their origin, priorities vary between economic success, innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility.
POLITICAL
Consciousness is seen through the prism of political ideology, national sovereignty and strategic objectives. It is often subordinated to the imperatives of power, stability and national development, with strategies varying between economic growth, preservation of the social order and defence of national or party values.
All consider conscience to be an essential guide for actions and decisions, underlining the importance of ethics, although its definitions and applications vary. Conscience is often linked to an awareness of the impact of actions on oneself and on others.
I see a major difference depending on the time scale considered.
The more infinite the scale, the more we advocate inner transformation and selfless service, moving towards divine and universal concepts. The aim is the moral and spiritual upliftment of individuals.
For one or more generations, the emphasis is on balancing economic growth with sustainable and ethical practices, aiming for economic success that respects environmental, social and governance criteria.
In the short term, consciousness is interpreted through the prism of ideologies and strategic objectives, aimed at stability, the growth of a social group and the consolidation of power.
I leave it to you to choose which of these objectives you wish to pursue. For my part, it all starts with a mindset of abundance, as I define it in my latest book. It's about combining the moral and spiritual uplift of individuals with the economic success of the company and the serenity of the manager.