Could there be such person as a Corporate Yogi?

There are a lot of egos in Corporate America and needs for moving up the ladder that a Yogic lifestyle seems almost impossible to bring to this world. But just for fun, let’s imagine for a while if we would just have Yogis in Corporate America. Everything would be different: how we are, how we see work, how we work together, how we interact with executives.

First, we wouldn’t be subject to describe ourselves with “which school we went” or “the previous work experience” or “our position.” So, you wouldn’t hear things like: “I’m such and such from Harvard/Wharton/Michigan/etc. and have worked in P&G/General Mills/etc.” And we wouldn’t run to change our business cards to show our promotion because none of these descriptions matter to Yogis. The True Self is above these illusionary names and forms that are superimposed by society or our mind. We would be detached from our physical, mental, intellectual, and spiritual sheaths. We wouldn’t be boasting with intellectual achievements or collecting possessions that demonstrate our status.

Here comes the part that just a few executives/managers in Corporate America would recognize: the big “EGO” we carry around. As Yogis, we would have to detach from our egos… Ego makes us identify with limiting adjuncts or false qualities (I’m the boss, I have 10 years experience doing this, I am a top performer, I had that idea, I earn this much, etc). Ego-ism is the “I-ness” and “my-ness.” Ego makes us see ourselves as separate from the rest of mankind, reacting to others with a sense of competition rather than cooperation.

We would approach work differently. Work is a way to serve and we would be detached on the result. This means not being attached to the recognition or blame for success or failure. Note that this does not mean that we don’t do our job well… this means we give our best but keep our Self detached from what could come with it. We would be lot less afraid of bringing up failures and looking vulnerable. We would take more risks, and we wouldn’t be so focused on pleasing management but doing what needs to be done.

As Yogis, we wouldn’t be swayed with feelings of attraction and aversion (likes/dislikes). So we wouldn’t treat people differently depending on their position or how much we like them. Also, we wouldn’t walk away from distasteful situations. Because we are detached from our egos and the results of our work, we would try to share more, help more, coach more. We would be much more focused on developing people than working their asses out to have the best presentation to management. Also, we wouldn’t spend a lot of time thinking about our next move because all work will be relevant and all work will be equally excited.

So imagine the Corporate Yogi: detached from its own body & mind; detached from his/her ego; detached from the praise/blame from work. How would it be to work for/with this person? How would be the environment around this person?

I think there would be more positive energy and uplifting. This Yogi would be more compassionate with co-workers. It would not be anymore about who the top performer is or is not. But about how we can help each other succeed because our Self is the world and is everyone. We would see more teams working genuinely together, collaborating for the equal success or failure of the project (because remember we wouldn’t be doing the project to get praise and recognition, but to serve the Lord, our Self and the world.

A Yogi as part of Top Management… besides keeping everybody doing meditation J, I believe this person will behave more like a “Guru.” Because he/she are detached from position & ego, this executive would focus on guiding his team and passing along his experience so the next group of executives could continue building the path towards a better world where everyone can be their True Self. YEAH, all the bullshit about impress me; I got the power; Serve me would be over!

There are a lot of good, uplifting things about a Corporate Yogi, but reality is different! And we have to work with people with different backgrounds, way of seeing life and pursuing success. The decision or choice we have to make is on the right environment for us to be fulfilled and make a difference. We have to decide with who and where we want to be around.

It’s all about the power of our intellect and its capability to discriminate and discern.

What’s your choice? Could you be a corporate yogi?