Wayfinding in a V.U.C.A. (Volatile, Uncertain, Chaotic and Ambiguous) World.

Is 25 considered a tender age these days?

As I approach 50, I consider it very tender indeed. Bright eyed, ambitious, naïve and with time firmly on my side, I entered the world of Corporate America with trepidation and excitement, in equal measure.

For two decades I watched in silent horror as my work life became smaller and less meaningful. Profit and productivity replaced purpose and professional pride, until the trap seemed inescapable.

The ambition, a distant memory.

The naivety, now jaded wisdom and the excitement now a nagging low level of anxiety which fueled my desire to make it through each day without some kind of psychological punishment.

There were moments of great joy and success, of course. Quickly claimed by others as their own epic wins. I didn’t know it was my responsibility to claim them as mine and to revel in them, irrespective of the external validation or financial rewards.

There was, however six years where my self-determination was supported and nurtured. My Autonomy, Competence and Relatedness was celebrated. An environment where I thrived and built relationships that remain friendships to this day. People who trusted, respected and wanted me around. Professionally and personally. Unthreatened.

Unburdened and unbothered by risk, because they had a Consultant who was showing them the way.

The industry didn’t seem to grasp the importance of ‘Wayfinding.’ It was investigated politely and with some skepticism during subsequent interviews, as someone would dismiss a belief in a ‘Higher Power’ as ‘spiritual nonsense.’

‘Contempt prior to investigation’ is an all too common human flaw.

In to, through or out of.......

And yet, ‘Wayfinding’ is at the heart of the uncertainty we feel, every day in our lives, our work and our environments. The barely audible questions that turn over in our minds as we struggle to suppress them in case, heaven forbid, we should have to stop; and in all that noise, answer those questions!

Why am I HERE? Where am I going? What am I doing? How did I get here? How do I get out? Where do I go next?

The psychology of navigating unfamiliar environments is what ‘Wayfinding’ is all about.

The impact of disorientation on our psychology is the problem it solves.

At one level, the implementation of a good signage strategy, inclusive of graphics, brand elements, maps and colour are helpful to an individual.

At another level, human interaction, landmarks, lighting and sound deepen the experience of one’s journey. Embedding the adventure of a new and unfamiliar environment into our memory.

At it’s deepest level, ‘Wayfinding’ is a full sensory expedition towards a destination of our choosing. We never make that first journey again.

What we remember about that journey is what stays with us. We may forget exactly what we saw and what we did to get there. We will remember how we felt along the way.

When we find ourselves in environments that feel unsafe, it is not our traditional senses that take over. Our instincts and intuition kick in. Senses that are untrained and undervalued and often ignored in favour of the most sensible cognitive solution.

What kind of forest are you in?

‘Lost’ by David Wagoner offers one of the most sage and beautiful suggestions for finding our way.

‘Stand still. The trees and the bushes beside you

Are not lost.

……………

‘If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,

You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows

Where you are. You must let it find you.

(1999)

The darkness exists only in the absence of light.

In 2018, in my exit interview from my final role with Corporate America I was asked two surprisingly sensitive questions.

“What was the best company you ever work for and when was the last time you were truly happy at work?"

My initial feeling was one of sadness. Six years wasn’t long enough. The answer was easy. The organisation where I felt the most useful, effective and aligned to. Where competency, consultancy and intelligent application of a strategy guided people, putting them at ease as they travelled to their destination.

Each person lost in their own experience.

Whether by accident or design, the trees know where we are, even if we don’t.

It is with this in mind that I am called to create an integrated program based on my own intimate experience of Wayfinding Strategy implementation and Life & Business Coaching. To build a series of workshops that guide, support and nurture the journey of the individual in a group setting. Each one of us, a tree.

Whether it is into, through or out of an environment, relationship or thought trap. The principles are simple.

·         Discover, Define, Deliver. It is our responsibility to find meaning in our work and our moments.

·         Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations and Results. S.O.A.R is a methodology for growth and success from Applied Positive Psychology. It’s focus is to build on what is already working, gently shedding the practices that do not.

·         Appreciative Inquiry asks us to Define, Discover, Dream, Design and create our Destiny.

It is here that 25 year old me, meets 50 year old me in the forest.

“You look tired,” she says.

“Yes,” I say. “I’ve been waiting a while for you to get here!”

Keep reading below......

"Guess what Liz, you use your full now instead off letting people shorten it!"

Integrating the practical experience of developing and applying the Art & Science of sustainable Wayfinding strategies, mindful of the impact of the psychology of disorientation, I invite you to work with me.

I am currently developing Workshops in Partnership with Industry Professionals to integrate the old with the new. Delivering to organisations interested in the practical aspects of Wellbeing and Wayfinding applications, as they relate to life and work.

As always, working with individuals to do the same.

Are you ready to take the first step?

Message me on WhatsApp +33 (0)786 591947 or e-mail quietwaters.coaching@gmail.com