OR create the best of both worlds
đĄ EXPLANATION OF THE PERMACULTURE OPERATING PRINCIPLE
In the last article we explored a permaculture principle calling for âintegrating rather than separatingâ elements in nature, so as to sustain life on earth.
Nevertheless, this permaculture principle referring to interfaces and edges ( (i.e. boundaries between two systems), seems to value the concept of boundaries rather than integration. One may then wonder if permaculture philosophy contradicts itself.
Not so fast!
If borders and interfaces delimits spaces, they also connect and unite them through reciprocal exchanges and interactions.
"Let's take the example of a sunset. Unanimously accepted as beautiful. The sun alone or the horizon alone are much less so: it is the interaction of the two elements that allows nature to express its full potential".
- SolĂšne Pignet, The Sustainable Entrepreneur's Guide, p.63
Quite simply, the dynamic interplay between earth, water and sun grants life.
đ ILLUSTRATION OF THE PRINCIPLE APPLIED TO A MISSION OF TRANSFORMATION
Today, Iâd like to give credit to my partners stories rather than speaking about my experiences.
Mélibée, a committed company, recently explained how it applies this aspect of permaculture in its daily activities. Agathe and Solenn, its two co-founders, decided to create synergies between their private and public spheres.
In the world of work, they support organizations to become more responsible, notably, in leveraging B corp and the FSSD frameworks. In their personal time, they pulse to the rhythm of free dance, meditation, yoga and other inner explorations.
One day, they combined both worlds. They created a retreat for their business partners to explore their inner ecology. The results?
Deeper and broader relationships were enhanced between participants.
Professionals rebalanced their efforts directed to 'taking care of oneself' and 'taking care of the world'.
A reduced sense of eco-anxiety from participants thanks to the Work that Reconnects put in the center of this stay.
MĂ©libĂ©e and I also applied this principle of âvaluing edgesâ together. For the past few years, I have been supporting them in their board of mentors.
Our exchanges, our respective specialties and the help of a friend have led us to a new eye-opener in life: a mission to accompany the Valenciennes Hospital Center to help the thousands of employees co-create their 5 year plan focused on sustainability issues.
đ TIPS TO GET MOVING
Do you want to value edges to multiply the positive impact of your projects?
Three steps seem essential to me:
Identify, accept and embrace your uniqueness.
Look at your limitations and connect with complementary people and activities.
Consider how your positioning, your activities, your choices can generate new opportunities.
Concretely, I suggest you ask yourself three questions:
What makes me different?
You can list several elements of your background, personality, passions and activities.
Who or what could help me advance my goals?
Here, think about what you don't usually associate in your activities and yet could be complementary. This can be edges between different skills, projects or partners.
In this project, what could be the most positive ripple effects?
âUsing the edges and valuing the margin invites us to open up to what we have not organized or created ourselves, to welcome the surpriseâ
IF YOU FOUND THIS POST INSIGHTFUL, PLEASE LIKE IT AND SHARE IT WITH YOUR NETWORK MEMBERS WHO MIGHT BENEFIT FROM IT.
IT'S THE BEST WAY TO SUPPORT ME.
As a reminder, I am creating a series on the the parallel between the 12 operational principles of permaculture and conditions for sustainable transformations of organizational systems. Here is the 1st post, the 2nd one, the 3rd one, the 4th one and the 5th one. Today we address the 6th principle. If you are a professional changemaker, committed to promoting a better society, these principles and insights should help you maximize your impact and inner serenity.
Hello Changemakers!
I am Nina, an impact maker coach, specializing in leadership and sustainable transformation.
I have spent the past 10 years leading sustainable change in a Fortune 500 organization in a multicultural environment. What I like to do through my activities is to inspire organizations professionals to rethink the business and make them proud to contribute, in their own way, to a more sustainable, human, and nature-friendly world.
If you wish to be supported to progress on your journey with multiplied impact and ease, contact me!