Thursday, April 11, 2013

The power and volatility of an illusion


For years I enjoyed working for Symbision. Unfortunately, in April 2011 Symbision ceases to exist. Always interesting to have a moment of reflection one year later.

One thing that I strongly remember was how proud we were generally on how collegial and caring for each other we were. These were important values ​​for us. But was that really the case?



There was certainly an signifying moment in the past. The sudden and too early death of one of our colleagues. In no time everything was rigged to support both his wife and colleagues.

I remember  it very well. The then just new director did not know what he saw. How we coped with it quite naturally. He was quite impressed. Colleagues were informed at a rapid pace, most came quickly to share empathy. A reflection room was decorated for supporting the grieving process. And later some who had a little IT knowledge helped his wife helped with what to do with all kinds of websites and social media.

Special but not completely uncommon. In most meetings we had, it was emphatically expressed how important collegiality and caring was for Symbision. Not participating in departmental outings and stuff was a fairly taboo. You had to be very 'exceptional' to get away with not attendingn

As with any organization, as years come and pass, so do colleagues. What was interesting to see how departing colleagues were treated. Sometimes it was seen as treason, sometimes as it was an unavoidable happening (moving to another country). But that didn't explain why there was such an out-of-sight, out-of-mind situation arose.

Now a year later. Most ex-colleagues hardly talk to eachother. As if the 'connection' that so many felt during employment with Symbision never existed. Maybe because it never existed and it was just an illusion? And yet, it felt so real. It was so much of an influence on people's behavior.

Now I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly, dreaming I am a man.

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