Work life flexibility through the lens of Integral Practice

At President Obama’s workplace flexibility conference last week, he explained that with “the rise of the juggler family…every day is a high-wire act, everything is scheduled right down to the minute, and there is no room for error.” He essentially was calling for better integration of the working and living experience.

With that, Mr. Obama announced he’s testing a “result-only working environment” or ROWE with 400 members of his own staff. (check out  Sue Shellenbarger’s blog, “The Juggle” at the Wall Street Journal.)

When using ROWE, employees are “evaluated on performance – not presence.” It supports the idea that “face time” doesn’t equal results, and that workers who can better control the integration of their work and family life, might be more productive and happy.

Take that idea a step further and deeper, and it might provide a jump-off point for exalting the human experience in the workplace and business. Given the ability to better balance ones lifestyle with their work, there’s an opportunity to better focus on personal development across the board.

An integral approach is the foundation for Integral Life Practice: A 21st Century Blueprint for Physical Health, Emotional Balance, Mental Clarity and Spiritual Awakening.

The material is written by four well known thought leaders on consciousness and human development including Ken Wilbur, whose work I have been reading for many years and I highly respect. The book both includes and transcends dogma, incorporates ancient and post-modern theories of human evolution and most importantly is not a heady read. It’s actually common sense guidance to navigate our sensory overloaded climate while growing as human beings.

In this weeks WorkLife Nation Web Video, you’ll hear from Terry Patten, one of the authors of Integral Life Practice. It’s just a snapshot of a longer interview that I’ll be posting at my Judy Martin Speaks YouTube Channel in the coming weeks. The philosophy stretches our minds and souls to tap the deeper nature of who we are, at our highest potential. As Patten says,  “If you’re not growing, you’re not dynamic, you’re not happening.”