In this issue:
Letter from Marc Lesser
Right Thinking in Business
Board and Management Retreats
Tassajara 3-Day Retreat
You Go First
Z.B.A. Zen of Business Administration, The Book
Dear Friends:
I've been learning a lot by being out in the world, speaking about my book Z.B.A. Zen of Business Administration. The integration of business practices and spiritual practices is a powerful and useful (and paradoxical) combination. In particular, I've been learning a lot about achievement and letting go: I care a lot about this book, because I believe it has the potential to change lives, and improved businesses, and have been doing everything in my power to promote it. I also hope that this book and other writing will be part of my livelihood. At the same time, I also realize that what I do will have very little impact on how the book performs in the world, leading me to practice letting go of wanting anything or being attached to any particular outcome. Of course, when I look closely, I see that I continually come up short on both fronts: I could be better at promoting the book, and I could be better at letting go! And yet, this is my effort, to fully hold both, promoting my book the best I can, and letting go; letting go...
As I write these words I realize that this spirit and practice can be applied to nearly every aspect of our lives and our businesses, in practical ways and in profound ways. We care deeply about how our businesses perform, how we take care of those we work with, and how we set and fulfill our strategic goals and missions. At the same time we see that our work is a place to cultivate honesty, integrity, and sustainability, as well as curiosity and appreciation. Focus, clarity, achievement, learning, letting go... again and again.
I hope you enjoy this first issue of the ZBA Newsletter.
With best regards,
Marc
Right Thinking
The practice of right thinking is one of the eight primary practices described by the historical Buddha, as the path towards moving from a life a being asleep towards waking up. Paying attention to our thinking can have significant implications in the quality of our work and the quality of our lives. These four questions about our thinking can be applied to our business and to our lives:
- What am I sure of?
- What am I really doing?
- Is this kind of thinking a habit?
- Is this kind of thinking cultivating understanding?
Try applying these questions to your business strategy, your relationships with customers and co-workers, and to your life.
Board and Management Retreats
Call on ZBA Associates to plan and facilitate your next Board or Management retreat. We help create a safe, dynamic and focused environment where all members of your team can connect, open and participate in making vital business decisions. Our unique process integrates leadership and facilitation tools with powerful and practical practices from spiritual traditions.
3-Day Retreat at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center: May 31 - June 3, 2005
Z.B.A Zen of Business Administration: A Retreat For People That Work; Led by Marc Lesser During this 3-day retreat we will explore how can we bring our full selves to our work and utilize work as a place for personal, emotional and spiritual growth. How can spirituality play a role in increasing organizational effectives -- leadership skills, effective collaboration, flexibility, responsiveness, and creativity, What role does spirit have in transforming the way we view our work and the impact that business has in our lives, and in transforming our world? In particular we will work with the practices of generosity, ethical conduct, patience, energy, meditation and wisdom.
There will be lots of time to rest, bathe, explore Tassajara, and of course, eat quite well.
Cost: $180, plus cost of staying at Tassajara.
To register: Call 415 865-1899, Tassajara reservations
You Go First
I was recently approached by a friend who is a senior manager of a medium sized publishing company. She recounted how undermined and unsupported she felt by the CEO of the company, who she knew was a close friend of mine. The woman who approached me felt that no matter how well she did her work, she never received the kind of recognition from the CEO that she needed to feel clear and satisfied. It was important to her to feel a sense of accomplishment and connection. In fact, she described ways that she felt unsupported and at times undermined by the CEO.
The following week I had lunch with the CEO of this company. When I asked the CEO how things at work were going, she told me how unappreciated and unseen she felt. Didn't her Board and her management team understand how hard she was working and how challenging her job was? I told her how important, as the leader of this company, that she trust herself, her vision, and her competency. I suggested that she take the initiative and make sure that her Board and her managers felt seen and appreciated by her, and that it was her job to create a culture of support, and not a culture of lack. She needed to embody and act in a way that set the tone for the organization. Supporting others, was the path towards her getting the support that she needed.
A primary and profound attitude that humans carry is a need to be recognized, seen and appreciated. Not recognizing, admitting and understanding this basic human need can create lots of trouble, especially for leaders and managers. Whatever it is you want and need from other: You Go First! If you want respect and appreciate; trying expressing respect and appreciation. If you want to be seen and hear; look and listen more closely to others.
- Carefully notice your key motivations at work: accomplishment, satisfaction, money, survival, caring for your family, benefiting others, acquiring skills, and many others.
- Notice what work activities bring you satisfaction, joy, a sense of calm and openness.
- Notice what work activities bring you uneasiness, anxiety, and lead to your feeling closed and tight.
- Inquire, notice, pay attention to how you see yourself, your work and the world.
- Be curious. Study yourself, your feeling, emotions, and moods.
- Open you mind. Open your heart.
- Whatever you want from others; YOU GO FIRST!
Z.B.A. Zen of Business Administration: How Zen Practice Can Transform Your Work and Your Life
"I love this book. It is profoundly simple. It is understandable and accessible - a powerful way to integrate life and work."
- Eileen Fisher, clothing designer and president of Eileen Fisher, Inc.