IS PROCESS MORE IMPORTANT THAN PURPOSE, IS HOW MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHY?

I recently read Viktor Frankl book Mans Search for Meaning. In it he argued that we cannot avoid suffering but we can choose how to cope with it, find meaning in it, and move forward. The issue itself was not WHY was he in a concentration camp, but HOW he managed his mind, attitude and behaviour.

I have also read Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi book Flow: Living at the Peak of your Abilities. He recognised and named the psychological concept of flow, a highly focused mental state conducive to productivity and happiness.

There is much similarity between Flow and Mindfulness (being present, in the moment and fully conscious) but also some differences (Flow is more about activity than meditation, although medication is an activity!).

Csikszentmihalyi identified the critical elements of flow as follows.

1 Clarity of goals and immediate feedback
2 A high level of concentration on a limited field
3 Balance between skills and challenge
4 The feeling of control
5 Effortlessness
6 An altered perception of time
7 The melting together of action and consciousness
8 The autotelic quality of flow-experiences

Csikszentmihalyi’s book then examines these factors through family, school, sport, work, community and retirement.

I recognise some of this structure combining Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose and think that organisations would do well to think about these factors when designing SMART goals along the lines of John Adair 's simple Action-Centred Leadership model which suggests a blueprint for success based on the alignment of team, task and individual interests.

In the book Living at the Peak of your Abilities there are examples of flow in sport and music but also mastery and pride in apparently menial tasks.

What appear significant in all these models is they are about HOW we engage HOW we think or perceive and NOW we behave and perform. The only WHY is ‘why does this work’ and the answer appears to be linked to self- control, self-respect, self-mastery which is substantially about managing ego.

Edgar H. Schein’s book Humble Inquiry (The Gentle Art of Asking Instead of Telling) puts great emphasis on process and relationship over task and outcome.

Schein notes Humble Inquiry is the skill and the art of drawing someone out, of asking questions to which you do not already know the answer, of building a relationship based on curiosity and interest in the other person.

He says, we value relationships when they are built as part of the work itself, as in military operations where soldiers form intense personal relationships with their buddies. We admire the loyalty to each other and the heroism that is displayed on behalf of someone with whom one has a relationship.

My observation here is that there is no PURPOSE or ulterior motive or intended outcome. Whilst Freud may argue that every action and relationship has a base utilitarian function, there is arguably a value on HOW people behave and are treated independent of PURPOSE.

Csikszentmihalyi appears also to suggest that the state of flow is a PROCESS and no better or worse whether it is working on an assembly line or performing surgery, the feeling is not contingent upon PURPOSE.

For example Csikszentmihalyi suggests that prior to instantly available food, television, music and other entertainment people were substantially happier in their more active pastimes (making food, learning the guitar, or paying games) where there was scope for Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose.

There makes sense in the context of a Growth Mindset where Individuals believe their talents can be developed (through hard work, good strategies, and input from others) have a growth mindset. They tend to achieve more than those with a more fixed mindset (those who believe their talents are innate gifts).

So, what can we learn from this, how can we use it?

There is a good argument that life is more about BEING than DOING? But doing things is clearly important: To be a worker when there is no work may feel like you have lost your identity.

Maybe our workplace or society is a happier and more productive place where there is more freedom about HOW we do things and greater scope for Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose in WHAT we do rather than assessment of WHY we do it?

Why is this important?

At the time of writing most of the world is in lock-down with Coronavirus and many are re-evaluating their role, purpose and value. I think now is an important time to have something to do and the freedom (and sense of control) that goes with doing it, and experiencing the flow which is conducive to productivity and happiness.

LINKS AND REFERENCES

Viktor Frankl
https://www.amazon.com/Mans-Search-Meaning-Viktor-Frankl/dp/080701429X

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/25616547-flow

The 8 Elements of Flow
https://www.flowskills.com/the-8-elements-of-flow.html

Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose
https://blog.deliveringhappiness.com/the-motivation-trifecta-autonomy-mastery-and-purpose

SMART goals.
https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/knowledge/other/smart-goal/

Action-Centred Leadership
https://www.businessballs.com/leadership-models/action-centred-leadership-john-adair/

Edgar H. Schein’s book Humble Inquiry The Gentle Art of Asking Instead of Telling
https://www.amazon.com/Humble-Inquiry-Gentle-Instead-Telling-ebook/dp/B00CTY5FXM

Growth Mindset
https://hbr.org/2016/01/what-having-a-growth-mindset-actually-means