I write this on the Feast of Stephen, of Good King Wenceslas fame – more often referred to as Boxing Day – that day for exercise and sleep to work off the typical excesses of Christmas Day. Also, for me, a day when I begin a process of thankful reflection on the year past (yes, even the shitty bits) and a hopeful anticipation of the year ahead.
It is a potentially a time too for rich connections. A noticing – a linking of insights – a merging of metaphors – an expansion. It is, if I allow it, a time of profound growth.
This connecting offers an integration between my personal and professional worlds – a wholeness.
Almost inevitably, my major professional interests feature in this. One such is innovation, and it has been uppermost in my mind these past days and, associated with it the notion of progress.
I have been musing a lot in recent weeks on a quote from the 2024 Booker prize-winning novel Orbital by Samantha Harvey. It is imaginative, insightful and beautifully written. A story of six astronauts on board the International Space Station as it orbits earth. As the space station completes its sixteen daily orbits, this titanium tube provides an improbable space for deep reflection on life and the human condition. It is akin to my St Stephen’s day – a place of connecting.
The thoughts of Pietro, one of the astronauts are captured thus:
“What he meant to say to his daughter … is that progress is not a thing but a feeling, it’s a feeling of adventure and expansion that starts in the belly and works up to the chest (and so often ends in the head where it tends to go wrong) … this belly-chest knowing of the deep beauty of things, and of some improbable grace …”
I have spent hours pondering the deep wisdom of that thought of Pietro. Progress as a feeling, not a thing. As a deep-rooted, belly-chest stirring. As an entity too often dominated – and misdirected – by the head. As an encounter with beauty and grace.
The concept of progress is often misunderstood in our fast-paced world, where tangible achievements and measurable outcomes are valued above all. Our conception tends to be wholly head-dominant – driven by an intellectual knowing. However, Pietro’s thinking invites us to reconsider our perceptions of progress, suggesting it is less about acquiring things and more about an internal transformation—a feeling. This perspective is both refreshing and deeply profound, advocating for an understanding of progress as an experiential journey rather than a destination.
Beginning in the belly, this feeling of progress is described as one of adventure and expansion. The belly, often associated with our intuition and gut feelings, serves as the origin of this sensation. It implies that true progress begins with an innate sense of curiosity and wonder, a desire to explore the unknown and embrace the new. This intrinsic motivation drives us to seek out the novel and the unexplored, pushing the boundaries of our comfort zones.
As this feeling rises to the chest, it takes on a more physical manifestation. The chest, symbolising the heart and emotions, suggests that true progress is coupled with a sense of emotional expansion and fulfilment. Here, progress becomes intertwined with passion and love—an openness to the beauty of life’s experiences that enrich our emotional world. This process might involve taking risks, accepting challenges, and embracing failures as part of our growth, recognising that each step is part of an ongoing journey.
However, Pietro also alludes to the potential pitfalls when this feeling of progress reaches the head. The head, representing the intellect and rational thinking, is where this sense of progress can often become entangled in over-analysis and doubt. This becomes especially pronounced when we are confronted by uncertainty and ambiguity.
The intellectualisation of progress can lead us astray, making us lose connection with the original, genuine feeling that sparked our journey. This warning serves as a reminder to balance our intellectual pursuits with emotional and intuitive insights, maintaining the essence of our continuous expansion without overcomplicating it. A restatement, if you like, of the understanding of the three brains concept.
This belly-chest rootedness in understanding progress emphasises the importance of balance and awareness in our personal and professional lives. It challenges us to redefine success and achievement, focusing not on the external validation and societal expectations but on our personal sense of fulfilment and joy. Progress, therefore, is not a linear path or a checklist of accomplishments. Instead, it is a dynamic interplay of experiences, emotions, and thoughts that shape our growth.
But let’s not forget the closing thought when Pietro affirms the beauty and grace inherent in this understanding of progress. It points to the deep beauty of things, suggesting that progress allows us to appreciate the intricate details and subtleties of life that we might otherwise overlook. This appreciation is a form of gratitude, recognising the improbable grace present in every moment of our journey. By cultivating this mindset, we learn to find joy in the process rather than the endpoint, seeing each experience as a valuable part of our broader tapestry of life.
In a professional context, this perspective can transform how we approach our goals and how we lead our organisations. By aligning our work with this intrinsic feeling of progress, we foster a work environment that values creativity, innovation, and well-being. Leaders who embrace this holistic understanding inspire teams to pursue not just operational efficiencies but also meaningful innovation that resonates with personal and organisational values with the prospect of fundamental transformations.
It is an invitation to explore new possibilities, take calculated risks, and learn continually, all while staying true to our core selves.
Ultimately, Pietro reminds us of the multifaceted nature of progress. It is an inner journey marked by adventure, emotional depth, and intellectual curiosity. By nurturing our belly-chest-head connection, we can navigate life’s complexities with grace, finding beauty in every moment and embracing the improbable journey of growth. Progress, then, becomes not just a personal endeavour but a shared experience, weaving together our individual stories into a collective tapestry of human evolution.
I’m reminded of the powerful saying of Socrates: “Let him who would move the world, first move himself”. Organisational innovation requires first a shift at the individual level. Organisational transformation requires transformation of its people.
Innovation and progress begin with us. And they begin within.
