United States Of Awareness: Transforming Company Culture And Consciousness

Beth Jannery worked for a Fortune 100 Company and advises about Strategic Communication and Workforce Trends for high-growth clients.  

People are unhappy at work. In fact, according to the latest Gallup’s “State of the Global Workplace 2021” report (download required), “all daily negative emotions reported among employees have been rising since 2009.” This trend should alarm you.

Retention rates have become a struggle for companies, and many employees find themselves dismayed that their workplace only pays lip service to issues like employee mental health, diversity and inclusion. A potential mass exodus of employees not only hurts morale and a company’s bottom line, but the entire situation jeopardizes gains in areas such as women leaders in the C-suite. In fact, McKinsey & Co. found that women leaders during the pandemic are disproportionately considering leaving the workforce or downshifting to a contributor role.

The disillusionment of employees and the potential exodus of women in the workplace should be a wake-up call for companies. With real awareness, I find that conscious action and mindfulness can improve the work environment.

Mindfulness At Work

There are ways to raise the level of consciousness in the workplace and workforce. But to do so, an important step is for leaders in corporate culture, including those in the top Fortune 500 companies, to lead the way in helping create these new workplace cultures. Eckhart Tolle, the author of The Power of Now, refers to this awakening and acknowledgment of systems needing change as “the United States of Awareness.” I think he is on to something.

Looking closer, humans are practically begging for mindfulness at work. In fact, the result of bringing meditation and mindfulness into the workforce can literally change the state of consciousness. If the workers can experience a caterpillar to butterfly-like metamorphosis with daily practice, so too can the companies who employ them.

What It Takes

It will take leaders from the Fortune 500 to embrace this awakening, and then other leaders and companies will follow suit. We have the potential to awaken a collective consciousness shift within corporate culture and create a new conscious workforce.

Collective Soul

This doesn’t mean we all sit cross-legged with our eyes closed at work. It means we bring more awareness to the work we do and the way we engage with our co-workers. We need to remember that we are all human beings not “human doings.”

If companies become culture champions — this means becoming a conscious company with a conscious culture — retention rates can increase, productivity can spike and employees should feel more secure. What do companies starting the practice of mindfulness look like? It looks like increased training programs and inclusion becoming action. Eventually, minorities advance and women fill the C-suite. This then becomes the new normal, not some passing trend.

Courageous Leaders

Author and culture of courage expert Brene Brown defines a courageous leader as someone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and developing that potential. Brown advocates that leadership is not about the title or the corner office but a willingness to step up and lean into courage.

And our world is desperate for brave leaders; the time is now for all of us to collectively step up. This applies to the commercial world as well as to government agencies. We are all in need of improvement. And we can all do it together.

Raising Awareness

It’s nothing new. Some business and military leaders already do it — and it works. For example, we already know that meditation fosters a happy and productive environment. But more companies need to get on board and take further steps — not simply offer a one-time mindful workshop — but commit to raising the consciousness as a part of the company culture.

As someone who helps companies elevate culture, I find that there are some simple but tangible and strategic steps you can take:

• Rewrite value statements.

• Realign values with what employees value.

• Redo strategies and messaging.

• Create a new company narrative.

• Rethink the way you communicate and engage with employees.

Leading By Example

Companies need to go beyond being mindful at work and raise the conscious culture of the entire company as part of their overall strategic vision. In my view, this is not a “nice-to-have” but a “must-have.” Let’s go beyond asking employees to be mindful and create daily incentives for them to do so. Add it to your company values. Weave it into your strategic vision. 

As a continued effort within these changes, executive leadership should advocate for equitable, remote and flexible work environments to create long-term peace and satisfaction. The choices companies make in this regard can shape the workforce on issues of diversity and inclusion for decades to come.

The Great Awakening 

Awakening to the needs of women and others in the workplace also means making remote work a valid and encouraged option. It means that companies should create strategies to keep employees engaged and embrace mindfulness by empowering the presence of everyone in the workplace.

A Call To Action

By taking action now, Fortune 500 companies and beyond can live in the solution, raise company consciousness and create a culture of change. Creating a healthier culture begins with leadership agreeing to a new strategy and vision for what company culture looks like. Which path will you take in corporate America at this critical crossroad? I challenge any business leader reading this to take steps to start their company’s transformation. 

Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?