Celebrate Change

“To exist is to change,
to change is to mature,
to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly.”
-Henri Bergson

In the whirlwind of the 2020s, where every scroll, click, and swipe brings news of another innovation or upheaval, the importance of anchoring ourselves to our core values has never been more important. As Henri Bergson insightfully put it, “To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly.” This continuous creation of oneself, amidst the backdrop of relentless change, requires a steadfast adherence to our core values and clear focus on our ONE Thing. These values serve as a compass, guiding us through the fog of uncertainty and the rapid societal and technological transformations that define our times.

Core Values Amid Change
Our core values are the bedrock of our identity—they shape our thoughts, actions, and interactions. In times of significant change, these values become our North Star, offering direction and stability when the landscape around us shifts dramatically. Whether it’s the integrity with which we conduct business, the compassion we show to others, or the excellence we strive for in our personal and professional lives, our core values are the lighthouse guiding us safely to shore in stormy seas.

But how do we maintain these values when everything around us is in flux? The answer lies not in resisting change but in embracing it as an opportunity for growth, with our values as our guiding principles. This involves a conscious effort to reflect on our actions and decisions, ensuring they align with our fundamental beliefs and principles.

Strategies for Evolution
Evolving with integrity in a changing world requires both reflection and action. Here are strategies to ensure that individuals and organizations can grow and adapt while remaining true to their core values:

- Daily Reflection: Start or end each day with a brief reflection on your actions and decisions. Ask yourself if they reflected your core values. This practice helps in making small, day-to-day adjustments that keep you aligned with your principles.

- Set Value-Based Goals: When setting goals, whether daily, monthly, or yearly, ensure they are rooted in your core values. This alignment ensures that your pursuit of growth or change strengthens, rather than dilutes, your fundamental principles.

- Embrace a VUCA World: VUCA stands for Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity. In a VUCA world, adaptability and flexibility are key. Instead of reacting with fear or resistance, use your core values as a filter to respond to these conditions. This might mean prioritizing innovation (a core value) by encouraging creative problem-solving in the face of uncertainty.

- Continuous Learning: Commit to learning as a core value. In a rapidly changing world, the ability to learn and adapt is crucial. Encourage this in your organization or personal life by seeking out new experiences, perspectives, and knowledge that challenge you to grow while staying true to your values.

- Build Resilience: Resilience allows us to withstand and adapt to challenges without losing sight of our values. Cultivate resilience by fostering a mindset of growth and perseverance, viewing challenges as opportunities to strengthen your commitment to your values.

Reacting to VUCA
The VUCA world demands that we not only react to changes but anticipate and prepare for them, always with our core values in mind. This proactive approach to change involves:

- Volatility: Stay grounded in your values when faced with rapid changes. Let your values guide your responses, ensuring they are thoughtful and consistent.

- Uncertainty: Use your values as a decision-making framework. When the future is uncertain, decisions rooted in your core values are more likely to feel right in the long term.

- Complexity: Simplify complex situations by focusing on what aligns with your core values. This can help cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters.

- Ambiguity: In ambiguous situations, lean on your core values to provide clarity. They can help you choose the path that feels most authentic to you.

Conclusion
Evolving with integrity isn’t just about personal or organizational growth—it’s about transforming in a way that deepens and enriches our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. By staying aligned to our ONE Thing, and anchoring ourselves to our core values, we not only navigate the changing landscape with confidence and purpose but also contribute to a world that reflects those values back to us. In doing so, we fulfill Bergson’s vision of endless creation, maturing into the fullest expression of ourselves.