Meaningful or Meaningless?
An interesting topic that creates paradoxes throughout. We look at it from many different aspects, and this fully re-edited version of the book by myself, Leadership or Leadershit (re-edit by Debbie Halls-Evans). I focussed on one aspect when I first wrote this chapter of the book- the difference that meaningful and meaningless impacted the work, role, and leadership. We explore more in this re-edit of meaning versus happiness and updated meta-studies that allow us to explore our own meaning and be curious about the differences and benefits of meaning and meaningless!
“An abnormal reaction to an abnormal situation is normal behaviour”
One of the quotes that I have come to love, savour and share, came from Walt Whitman. It's not just poetic, and it's packed with meaning and purpose. Please take a moment to read this slowly.
"O Me! O life!... of the questions of these recurring;
Of the endless trains of the faithless—of cities fill'd with the foolish. Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, and who more faithless?)
Of eyes that vainly crave the light—of the objects mean—of the struggle ever renew'd;
Of the poor results of all—of the plodding and sordid crowds I see around me;
Of the empty and useless years of the rest—with the rest me intertwined. he question, O me! so sad, recurring—What good amid these, O me, O life? That you are here—that life exists, and identity. That the powerful play goes on, and you will contribute a verse." Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass.
The question to pose yourself is for can you associate a meaning with a verse?
If you look around the world close enough, you will find meaning. Meaning is found in every moment of human existence. It's located in great causes, incredible feats of human endeavour, breakthroughs, impossible missions, recoveries from trauma, loss, recovery from terminal illnesses. Even some of the most challenging situations provide glimpses of meaning that we often least expect to see or uncover.
Death, suffering and horrific incidents are there for all to see. Yet, in NLP, it's postulated that every behaviour comes from a positive intent. This belief often creates divisive arguments, and people find themselves debating it for hours, but there is possibly truth in it. Things and people start with the best intentions, and then things can become ugly, distorted and negative. Does this mean that all meaning is with positive intent and meaningless is without? Or are both from positive intent?
Presupposed positive intention is found:
In the thought before the thought.
The thought before the belief.
The belief before the attitude.
The attitude before the behaviour.
The behaviour before the action.
There are multiple opportunities to choose the right action at each stage, yet sometimes, and in the cases listed above, inferred as incorrect and against a common ideal. It becomes a crucial filter that allows us to choose our response to something that someone has done to us or others—a last-ditch attempt to seek understanding before a default judgement.
I also had questions around meaning versus meaningless. Do manual job environments carry any meaning? What is the meaning? Pure survival? Who determines what meaning is? How do we know they know the meaning? Does meaning even matter? I started this thinking when I started the work in the steel fabrication and foundry.
Is repetition meaningless?
Meaningless is where we are going to start this journey. Many years ago, I was allowed to go and work in the steel industry. I spent eight days working on a site in the North West of England, for and with a family business that had been operating successfully for many years.
The situation had arisen due to being in between chapters in my corporate career and was a tongue in cheek invitation that I willingly accepted. As a corporate leader who had spent most of his time working out of offices, travelling in luxury cars, working remotely etc., this seemed like a great idea and one that would make me feel very uncomfortable. It did, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
In doing feats like Iron Man, people often ask me if I am simply a masochist. I wish it were that simple. I wouldn't say I like pain, love comfort, and have that overpowering image in my brain when I think about meaningful over meaningless. Sailing Ships were built for exploration and discovery, not to sit in safe harbours having their decks polished.
Since my days of working on a farm as a teenager, it had been many years, picking lettuces for some pocket money. I was looking to understand the impact of being in an environment every day that does not change, where the work is the same, the production is the same, the lifestyle each week the same.
With an open mind, I set about the job at hand. Looking back, those eight days were quite something and far from what I thought would be relatively meaningless other than the job at hand.
The people I met were interesting, a blend of welders, steel shapers, fabricators, and could pretty much make anything out of steel. The work patterns set and scheduled with clocking in cards, shifts started at the same time every day, and it was possible to imagine how a robot functioned. Lunch was the same time, finishing up was the same time, while late orders earned overtime, and everyone worked to the same rhythm and operated within the working week's confinements.
My first task in the role was to learn how to cut 18-foot thin metal rods into three pieces, turning one part into three. I set about my work with keen energy, taking them one at a time and cutting through them until the job was done. Looking back, I cannot quite remember the amount I cut up. I remember at the end of the day that the pile was huge. I am pretty sure it was in the region of 60 pieces. Delighted with my work, I called the foreman over and said with glee, "look, I'm done". He then explained the next stage of the process. I had to use another machine to cut out holes in each piece. These were going to be the screw holes to attach to another device once completed.
Over the next two days, I set about the laborious task of cutting the pieces allocated to me. I asked the foreman to come and check, and he also issued the next stage, this time, I had to bend each end of the bar into a thin 'L' shape, turning them into the large oversized commercial waste bin lid hinges.
If you've ever seen the big commercial recycling bins found behind most restaurants or offices, this was the size these hinges were supporting. The last couple of days, I was asked to work in another part of the business, inside a warehouse, where I was asked to assemble construction chutes. These were a series of cylindrical chutes that stack together through a series of chains and bolts that builders use to dispose of rubbish in a high rise building that feeds to a skip. They came in pallets of 32, and my job was to put all of the bolts and chains on. During this part of my time, I found certain attitudes that bemused me and made me curious about how, in the manufacturing space, you develop the necessary mindset to deal with extreme repetition.
On one particular day, I worked with the main warehouseman, and he asked me to slow down. My natural tendency is to establish ways to be faster, more efficient and turn things around ahead of schedule. He came over and said these words, 'you are working too fast' and 'this is not what we do around here. It stunned me. It made me wonder what had made him make this remark and what the thinking was around it. Indeed, how many people in the company were thinking like this?
During the first part of my time there, greeted with curiosity, people could not understand why I was there. We would exchange conversations during the shifts. The variety of topics swung from weird to extreme beliefs, nationalism to the sport, to anything that was being thought about at that time. Despite this, there was an acceptance that I was indeed contributing to the overall scheme of things.
As I did the repetitive work I was challenged by it and considered what it was and the association to meaningless. What is it? Does it exist? Is it even necessary? Does it take a certain person who finds what I found meaningless meaningful? Meaningless has to be a personal perspective and reality. Meaningless can be a protection, a defence, risk-averse, possibly a cathartic process- perfecting and honing a skill. Meaningless specific to creating quality? Oxymoron or paradox?
Over the years, I have studied Victor Frankl's work and his book Man's Search for Meaning. Each spring, I take the time to reset my internal mindset and listen to his work. Frankl argues for the power of meaning in everyday life in an extraordinary way. His insights are around something called logo-therapy, and the effects of being reduced to nothing inside the Nazi concentration camps is entirely gut-wrenching.
In short, my experience in the steel foundry took me on a journey of excitement to start with, curiosity, questioning, rationalising, seeking meaning, finding no meaning, empathising, and finally, acceptance. When I left on day 8, I had mixed emotions. Partly I would miss the friends I had made, and some of their faces have never faded from memory. On the other hand, I could not carry on in an environment where, beyond survival, I saw nothing to aim for, create, or want to become. I had to apply leadership to myself to get myself out of there and accept that the others also had to make their own self-leadership choices - I could not do it for them. Me attempting to lead them would have been meaningless. Me leading myself to 'freedom' had a massive personal meaning, and the eight days I would recommend to anyone who is currently lacking meaning in their lives and careers. When I left, I still had no significant meaning to my life, but the difference was that I wanted to find it, whereas before, it hadn't meant anything to me to discover this potential breakthrough.
Over the years, I have researched so many industries as a consultant and expanded my continuous learning connecting with the people involved and taking the time to :
Understand them,
What matters to them,
What they wish the organisation would change,
What stops them from doing their job, and the reverse effect?
I have searched for meaning from medicine, politics, the automotive industry, banking, FMCG, and sports and youth projects. You should start with meaninglessness and define this to stand any real chance of extrapolating meaningfulness out of it.
Meaningless Leadership
In this research, I discovered processes, procedures, routines, cultural habits, and decision-making collaborations done in the same way they always have been. They slow down the people they serve. In many cases, they get in the way of the relationship between the business itself, the people or the customer they serve. Leaders do it for reasons that are out with the discoveries of what meaning is. They make it personal, and they make it something that gives them more power, more control and stifles talent.
Meaningless Conference Call Leadership
During my time in the telecommunications industry, as a professional leader, and since then, as a consultant, the number of companies who love video conference calls as a solution to everything is remarkable. These days there are so many video platforms for social connecting. Suppose you ask leaders around the world what is the definition of insanity. In that case, they remember the answer: "Insanity is when we find ourselves doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result".
The addition to this is as we transition into a hybrid world from a fully remote global one thanks to Covid, new elements of meaningless have coexisted with meaning. Meaningless relationships (even toxic) have either stalled or enhanced through a virtual environment. Side chats, in zoom chat bars, even whatsapping whilst in remote meetings. The meaningless behaviours have and could remain damaging and the meaningful ones of care, well being, purpose over profit, people first have flourished with the leaders who have chosen more meaningful interaction.
One thing for sure is that meaningful and meaningless are partners and co-exist in moments we all experience.
Like the steel foundry if we stop the constant 'this is how we do it, so why change anything' strategy? Or at least amend it? Addressing the meaningless actions and interactions with honest conversations inversely make them meaningful.
The meeting of minds is face to face and in a remote virtual or hybrid world, this has been experienced by most of us through the Covid period. The connection is in real-time. The contributions are heartfelt. As a coach, I discovered that processes without purpose or processes that are not linked to the business's purpose are meaningless.
The one lesson we can learn, though, is that they all start with a positive intention. Most people, yes, I know this could be a gross generalisation, do not set out each day with the plan to mess things up, get things wrong or hurt others. They almost always intend to do something with a good cause. One of the challenges we see in coaching the business community is the gap between intention and execution.
Meaning with intention and why.
Victor Frankl maintained that the desire to find meaning is essential to life and the all-round human experience, much more so than having power. His courage and ability to draw from harrowing experiences and illustrate his theories through his abilities as a therapist are simply extraordinary. Nonetheless, it is a book not for the faint-hearted. It is, however, something that we can all learn from.
Finding your cause - Do you have one?
Many years ago, I was asked to assess an end-of-life palliative care Hospice. I'll never forget my experience. The CEO, an incredible woman with a remarkable story, took me on a tour of the location, warts and all. She started in a particular room, the cold room.
Those of you who have known someone who has experienced end-of-life treatment will know what this room is for. It's where the body of your loved one is stored shortly after the moment of death. It helps preserve the body whilst it is being prepared for transfer to a place of rest. You can guess why she took me to this room first.
She was looking to test my metal, to see how I responded to the reality and meaning of what they do. What this wonderful human being did, in showing me around, was many-fold;
The example for me to understand was:
Did this all have sufficient meaning for me - to mean something to them ultimately?
Did my professional position mean something? Or was it just a job?
Could she detect enough meaningful thoughts and questions for me that matched the meaning she needed in any collaboration?
She had a meaningful life, and though not always sure if those who died there also had meaningful existences, she didn't want anything that lacked meaning to be attached to her important work. Every human being was important, demanded the same respect both in life and in death. Wow, I got it.
In sales, we coach salespeople never to neglect that question that so many salespeople forget to ask. Most times, it just doesn't enter their thinking. Imagine going to buy a new mobile phone. The salesperson breaks the ice with perhaps: How can I help you. (HOW?) and What are you looking for (WHAT?) And that's pretty much it. Ouch. What's the meaningful question that's been left out entirely?
The power of why.
Well, the answer is, of course: why? It's the most important of all sales questions because you discover if there is any meaning here. Many customers are just browsers, and distinguish a future customer (or never) from a now purchasing customer is a crucial part of sales. Beyond this, if the person is genuine, discussing the why will give the potential buyer a reason to take this possible transaction very seriously. They become focused on what's going on.
Throughout the many hours of executive coaching that I have conducted personally or via our team, it's one of the most challenging and demanding questions anyone can answer.
It holds in the answer, the most potent meaning of all, the single or set of reasons you choose to do what it is that you do. The personal 'why?' comes in the form of purpose. The situation usually is the coach working out the coaching outcomes and asks:
'What's your purpose for the coaching in a single sentence, please?'
Most people stop and baulk at the answer. They become confused as if the coach expects some deep and secret one-liner that encapsulates the life you have led up until this point. The exciting thing is, it's much simpler than you think. Your purpose comes down to the essential things in your life and the difference you want to make to each of them right now.
In 2010 I was competing in the Manchester 100-mile Cycle Sportive. After 75 miles, a friend and fellow Iron Man called Simon cycled alongside me and said he would ride into the finish with me. At first, I was troubled - how fast would he ride? How much energy do I have left, and can I keep up with him? It was soon apparent that Simon was being gentle and was happy to ride more towards my pace. Ten miles later, I asked him: "What's your Purpose, Simon?" He answered almost immediately, "To provide for my family".
Initially, I was impressed by the speed of his response, but it seemed to me almost too blasé, and I became confused. Five miles later, I asked him again in a slightly different way: "So what else is important to you?" Simon was resolute, probably one of the reasons he delivered such an incredible Iron Man time. He simply repeated, "To provide for my family. That's it".
Over the last few miles and many weeks later, I reached a personal conclusion about this all too brief interaction. One's purpose is unique, and there is no wrong or correct answer. It is the thing or sets of things that matter most to you.
Here are some of the best purpose statements I read recently from forbes.com from CEOs.
““To serve as a leader, live a balanced life and apply ethical principles to make a significant difference” ”
“To use my gifts of intelligence, charisma and serial optimism to cultivate the self-worth and net worth of women around the world”
“To constantly be striving to be the best version of myself - in my job, with my health and fitness, with my relationships, with family and friends, and with my emotional wellbeing”
“To be a teacher. And to be known for inspiring my students so be more than they thought they could be”
“I want to make it so that every person in the world can afford to start their own business”
“To live life with integrity and empathy and be a positive force in the lives of others”
“To help people find hope after loss”
“To have fun in my journey through life and learn from my mistakes”
“Transparency = Success”
“You have to be willing to venture where nobody else is willing to go, as well as provide a service that everyone needs”
“To develop next-generation diagnostics to provide a better life”
Tools to assist you in exploring Meaning in your life
There are many tools, and most based on psychological and philosophical testing. The meaning of life and self is a philosophical question ultimately (always up for debate!) or if you reference The Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Universe. Douglas Adams, the answer 42![1] All in all, making meaning very relative and personal. It’s vital we are curious about our meaning and also using the Best Version Business Framework we call it finding your YFCTR for your business. Also, check out the references and research for specific philosophical questionnaires you can complete.
Boost your curiosity of meaning: We also have our Values eBook that you can work through to start the process of lining your life to value and meaning, and attached is the iTest from our iCAN® program to test your focus and create a stimulating process of thinking again about the meaning or meaningless.
The questions that remain for us to explore are:
Does meaning have to have a purpose?
If meaning is the purpose, then the meaning is relative to the individual and not questionable?
Is meaningless a necessity for us to find meaning?
Is money meaning or is it meaningless?
We have been indoctrinated through years of systemic work (thus money) to live and this can bring a meaningless lifestyle and behaviours, or does it? Is money meaningful or meaningless? The differences now discovered through meta-studies are that money has meant we do what we do for money which can bring meaning. Many studies have now undertaken show that money can bring meaning to us if it has a purpose culture and environment also important.
Summary
'Meaning' and 'Meaningful' is a currency we rarely look at in our hands. We should because without this value to place against things. We live a relatively meaningless existence—millions of small businesses in the world run by lack of meaning. Leaders can work in meaningless foundries, not for days but weeks, months, years and decades.
I once met an accountant who wanted some leadership help in his life. I started by asking what ten-year-old business was worth it. He paused, unsure, saying: "What do you mean exactly?" When we explored more, he had a handful of regular clients, many more who were only there because of discounted rates. His business was worth - being generous with the clients, £8,000. In negotiation, he'd get £5,000 if he was fortunate—all for ten years of time, investment/work. We talked about the meaning, and he joked: "You mean the meaning of life?". I was about to joke back then looked replied: "Yes, that's exactly what I mean… your life".
Over the years, I have done my darnedest to push imagery, visualisation, vision boards, creative thinking, bold moves and meaningful links to board members right across to front liners. I've asked leaders to add meaning to their presentations, meetings, reviews and motivational sessions with their teams. Sometimes I have begged CEOs to review their top people, products, stores, inappropriate and office locations. And I've asked a coachee to say what they mean and mean what they say.
Suppose you ignore the 'Why?' question in everything you do and plan to do and side-step the importance of making everything you are responsible for has meaning. In that case, all you will be left with is a meaningless strategy, going nowhere in particular with nothing to look forward to being held together with a collection of people who lack purpose and vision—time to become meaningful with yourself.
Yet, meaningless is a safe place, and meaning is hard work, focused energy, and a greater tendency to fail. So we have to choose what works best for us, and do we need both to succeed?
Research & References
Meta Research https://www.templeton.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Psychology-of-Purpose.pdf
Life Regard Index, https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.2466/pr0.1990.67.1.27, www.rug.nl › research › portal › files, Debats, D. L. (1998). Measurement of personal meaning: The psychometric properties of the life regard index. In P. T. P. Wong & P. S. Fry (Eds.), The human quest for meaning: A handbook of psychological research and clinical applications (p. 237–259). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers
The Purpose in Life subscale of the Psychological Scales of Well-being, https://sparqtools.org/mobility-measure/psychological-wellbeing-scale/ also we have referenced The Meaning in Life questionnaire, The Existence Subscale of the Purpose in Life Test, The Revised Youth Purpose Survey, The Claremont Purpose Scale and the Life Purpose Questionnaire.
[1] https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/42-h2g2-meaning-of-life-The-Hitchhikers-Guide-to-the-Galaxy
