26 | MENTORS MAGAZINE | EDITION 1
positive, and aligned purposeful culture,
which is built on a foundation of strong,
emotional, transformative experiences such
as a sustaining story of origin—why we exist
and whom we serve—to serve as a collective
and sustaining north star. A healthy, vibrant
sustainable culture has three legs:Each leg is supported by its brand communi-
ty of stakeholders. The stronger the commu-
nity, the stronger and smoother support for
the three legs of the culture. Incremental in-
novation is possible without a purposeful
culture. However, continual transformation
is only possible in a purposeful culture, and
without continual transformation, business-
es and organizations will not be sustainable.
They will be tomorrow’s corporate road kill,
squashed by relentless competition, change,
and transformation.The power of transformation
Work The Future, Today: Collaboration, in-
novation, transformation : There are two
basic processes that bring the future to you
and your organization: innovation and trans-
formation. Too much has been written about
innovation and too precious little on trans-
formation. And neither is truly possible with-
out collaboration, which is the social glue
holding and bonding them together.Collaboration , at a conceptual level, in-volves:Awareness: We become part of a working
entity with a shared purpose.
Motivation: We drive to gain consensus in
problem-solving or development.
Self-synchronization: We decide as individu-
als when things need to happen.
Participation: We participate in collabora-
tion and we expect others to participate.
Mediation: We negotiate, collaborate, and
find a middle point.
Reciprocity: We share and we expect sharing
in return through reciprocity.
Reflection: We think and consider alterna-
tives.
Engagement: We proactively engage rather
than wait and see.Innovation is the harnessing of creative
thought and action to a useful end for a
short-term goal, which is meant to—at
best—keep you where you are today, instead
of slipping back.Transformation is:Future value creation for a shared long-term
goal.
A shared act of imagination translated into a
treasured future.
The art of scientifically bringing creativity
continuously to life.
Applied creativity that makes a long-term
difference.