Alice in Wonderland

We often hear the phrase “You don’t want to go down the rabbit hole,” which means the subject is so interesting and compelling that you become fully engrossed.

Lewis Carroll, an English mathematics lecturer at the University of Oxford, crafted a tale inspired by his vivid imagination and a young girl named Alice Lindell. The story follows, Alice as she goes down a rabbit hole into a fantastical world with whimsical characters.

In one scene, Cheshire Cat tells Alice that if she doesn't have a destination in mind, any path will lead her somewhere, implying that without a clear goal, her actions may not be directed towards anything specific. The quote has since been modified, to if you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.”

As leaders we fall short without a clear direction. We fall short when we don’t know our clear objective to those we lead. Organizations fall apart because they don’t have a clear and concise plan to follow. They never define who they are. In Japan, they don’t have that problem. They have Ikigai.

Ikigai is a Japanese concept designed to find one purpose in life. It can apply to the individual and organizations. By including a broad range of fulfillments from life, in our workplace, relationships and hobbies, the practice of Ikigai has four key components: 

1. What you love: Activities that bring you joy. Organizations might ask, who are we? What do we love to do? If you a company is in health care, then we what we love is serving the sick. The patient is who we love. 

2. What you are good at: Skills and talents you possess. Obviously for organizations this is easy, get great at the one thing you must be great at doing. 

3. What you can be paid for: Career opportunities that provide financial support. This is the easy part for organizations.

4. What the world needs: Contributions that address societal needs. How can organizations contribute to the world outside of their main business. How can they give back? 

Critics might offer that finding the things we love can be a challenge. In organizations, defining who we are is the hardest part. But when this simple term isn’t clearly defined, organizations lose focus.

We as leaders can’t lead without a purpose, and it cannot just be related to financial rewards. It must come from the heart. When we love something, we never settle, we never get deterred, and most of all, we never ever quit. 

Today, take a moment and ask yourself these four questions. Spend time, don’t rush and find the road to lead you to the place you want to go. If it works for Alice, it will work for you. 

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