Here at Careerprint, we believe that there is a fundamental flaw in that worldview. In a world that measures worth in terms of winning and losing, there are, by definition, far, far more losers than winners. The hierarchical pyramid moves from the many to the few to the one.
Under our model, we know that it’s possible to live a life measured by meaning and compassion instead of competition: a life based on the belief that when any worthwhile practice – be it a career, a marriage, or even a community – is measured by winning and losing, everyone really loses in the end.
As career personnel, the companies we work for (and therefore our own work cultures) are driven by mission statements and values. Our employers measure success by goal setting, assessment, and outcome measurements. Yet, all too often our career successes tend to be measured against the failure of someone else (Will I be the one offered the position? Will I be the one promoted?) This has the dangerous ability to turn life into a zero-sum game. As a result, we find fear and envy instead of compassion and cooperation.
This is not the way we should be raising our children, managing our direct reports, supporting our colleagues and friends, or living our lives.
We believe that there is a better way. A way that sees a career as part of a whole life and a whole life as a facet of a whole person. We believe that understanding the parts of that whole person is the first in many steps that lead from competition to cooperation, envy to gratitude, and from struggle to peace.
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