The ability to utilize professional expertise, anticipate the future, solve problems with insight, and focus on long term goals are all direct results of balancing the “Left Brain” with the “Right Brain” through Gestalt Joy.
By April X. Battle, e-Management
What is Gestalt? Well, Gestalt represents “an organized whole that is perceived as more than the sum of its parts.” It is a well developed theory of how people take in and organize information, and how they use this to relate informational parts to each other. As the daughter of a certified Gestalt trainer and practitioner, I had a unique opportunity at the age of 12 to attend Left Brain-Right Brain seminars.
This exposure now leads me to increasingly question whether economic pressures have crippled organizations due to our inability to balance analytical “Left Brain” skills with “Right Brain” Gestalt Joy.
What is Gestalt Joy
Gestalt Joy enables leaders to identify and assess large amounts of information to make unseen connections visible and relevant to others. The ability to utilize professional expertise, anticipate the future, solve problems with insight, and focus on long term goals are all direct results of balancing the “Left Brain” with the “Right Brain” through Gestalt Joy.
“Out of the Box” Thinking
Do American analytical workers spend too much time using “left brain” logic and detail oriented facts to solve organizational challenges, rather than incorporating “right brain” big picture Gestalt Joy imagination? Do we value individual contributors that focus on understanding organizations from an enterprise perspective? Most importantly, do we recognize “out of the box” thinking as an attempt to exercise our brain muscle by intuitively connecting the dots?
Walk the Talk
We often talk about the importance of organizational creativity. Do we actually “Walk the Talk”? Engaging individuals that shift between logic and creativity within organizations?
Studies show that as our world and businesses become more global, connecting the dots will become even more important. Leaders that grasp the significance and connectivity between customers, organizations, business partnerships, governments, countries, and the overall global context are going to be in top demand. In a poll conducted by PRWeek and Burson-Marsteller, the majority of the 252 CEOs surveyed said they were likely to rely on their intuition when making most business decisions.
Mentor the Masses
In order to see organizations from a holistic perspective, it is increasingly imperative that seasoned leaders over the age of 35 learn to balance their analytical genius with an appreciation for Gestalt Joy. This implies returning to our core selves, experiencing wonders within our backyards, remembering to laugh, and re-learning how to have Joy. Those that know me, all know of my recent thrills. These experiences not only reduced stress but, they also enabled me to think outside the box while developing a Holistic “One Voice” transition plan to enable intra-agency outreach and organizational alignment across 170 Federal Agencies.
Take the Challenge
When first joining my organization, I noticed something that still sticks in my mind today. The president and CEO of the company freely and frequently laughed out loud. When I listened to her freedom of expression, I thought this company will continue to be successful because the leadership understands the importance of balancing work with joy.
Let’s all pledge to balance our analytical strengths by accepting the Gestalt Joy within us. Who knows, Gestalt Joy may enable individuals within organizations to transform siloed directorates and organizations from “individual trees within a forest” into “stable organizational forests that live and breathe for years to come.”
To enable success, we must transform organizations into holistic systems that represent more than the sum of their parts.
Gestalt Joy Pledge
Now, think outside the box. What Gestalt Joy activities brought you pleasure over the past decade? What activities do you pledge to incorporate into your life to enrich your organizational and life value?
