Fresh Takes

Consistency and Harmony?

Consistency is defined as the quality of being uniform, stable, and unchanging over time.

Have you ever been criticised for not being consistent? Me too.

In my experience of being human, I have struggled to repeat the same processes over and over again the exact same way without deviation. For the majority of things that I have found reason to repeat, things that have my full interest and focus, it felt most natural to make subtle shifts for improvement just out of curiosity. Simply asking, ‘what if’? I’ve experienced this with reoccurring team meetings, acknowledging the need for human connection with inter-state team members or in performance reviews questioning.

Is it just me, or does being consistent sound like being a machine?

I recently watched a video where the inspiring Seth Godin was being interviewed. He suggested businesses focus on consistency over authenticity with the understanding that customers are looking for you to consistently deliver on your promise to them and this is what builds trust. While I agree with Seth in what has worked, I cannot help but think that this is quite limiting.

With the rise of AI, computers that are designed for consistency, repetition, perhaps it is time for businesses to operate from a place of harmony instead?

Harmony, is defined as a state of peaceful coexistence, agreement, or accord among different elements, individuals, or groups. It implies a sense of balance, unity, and concordance.

Harmony is often used to describe music, or the interconnectedness of nature. I like to think of the symbiotic relationship of bees and flowers. Bees collect nectar and pollen from flowers to make honey, while flowers rely on bees for pollination. The two diverse organisms benefit greatly from one another with a shared principle for sustaining life. What I find puzzling is that we do not often associate the word harmony with business. Imagine a world where businesses served one another and mutually benefitted. Perhaps we need to start.

Upon reflection, both consistency and harmony build unity and trust. I now understand that while consistency is centred around standards – specific guidelines for behavior, quality, or performance, harmony is centred around principles – fundamental beliefs or values that guide behavior and decision-making across a wide range of situations.

So here I am, committing to consistently showing up on this platform in harmony, with the intention of connecting with a community that is seeking the same. I’d love to hear what you’re up to.

Side note – interestingly, the things that I have done consistently are the things that I do not consciously think about. The things that happen on autopilot, such as picking up my phone and searching for a dopamine hit through social media, or sitting next to my husband on the couch after putting the kids to sleep. I’m physically there, but I am not consciously performing the actions. You too?

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