Christian Monö's Blog, page 4
January 31, 2024
Are We Impeding Our Children's Collaborative Growth?
A recent study conducted with contemporary hunter-gatherer societies found that infants in these societies receive care and physical contact for about nine hours per day from up to 15 different caregivers. This has led the researchers to conclude that children may be "evolutionarily primed" to expect exceptionally high levels of physical contact and care, as well as personal attention from several caregivers in addition to their biological parents.
The study's findings have implications for childcare practices in Western countries. As one of the authors, Dr. Nikhil Chaudhary, says, "for the vast majority of our species' evolutionary history, mothers probably had far more support than they currently do in Western countries such as the UK."
"For the vast majority of our species' evolutionary history, mothers probably had far more support than they currently do in Western countries."
This is not the first time I've come across studies showing that in small hunter- and gatherer societies, people help each other to raise the young. I've also seen it in both African and Asian cultures, where friends and family help out with the young.
From an evolutionary standpoint, multiple caregivers make a lot of sense. It offers support and protection to both child and parents, who are more likely to develop a sense of belonging to a group. Multiple caregivers also hone the child's cooperative skills.
According to a WHO report from 2004, the day-to-day interactions between a child and the primary caregivers affect the child's "neurological development, psychological capacities, and social adjustment." With many caregivers, a child is exposed to a wide spectrum of ideas, knowledge, experiences, and behaviors. This allows the child not only to understand the benefits of cognitive diversity but will also teach them how to cooperate with people who are different.
In small hunter-gatherer communities, there is a higher ratio of caregivers to children. Compare this to current practice in Western nurseries, where a few adult caregivers are responsible for a larger number of children. This is a concern because it means our children may not get enough cognitive diversity on a daily basis to develop their collaborative skills. Add to this the fact that many children spend a lot of time isolated behind a screen. The effects of this are not fully understood, but I'm wondering if we are in the process of impeding children's collaborative growth. That is, people who do not know how to cooperate with people who think differently. If this is the case, we are facing a serious problem, after all, collective intelligence requires cognitive diversity.
Now, to end on a positive note, we can all help out. Perhaps you have family or close friends with small children whom you can help? Or why not become a mentor for children and teens? There are many great organizations out there doing their best to offer young people a safe and educational upbringing. Give them your support and help make the world a little better.
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January 22, 2024
Status and Natural Followership
Have you ever considered what it means when someone is extremely occupied with their own status? Does it imply a desire for power and wealth or a focus on making a career and actively striving to climb the social hierarchy?
According to the Cambridge dictionary, status is the position you have in relation to other people because of your job or social position. I used to interpret this as meaning that status refers to how much power or wealth a person has in relation to others. I was not alone. In fact, I've met many who believe that we humans are naturally driven by a desire to obtain power and wealth. It was when I started studying natural followership that I came to realize that this is not the case.
It's true that most, if not all, people are occupied with status whether they are aware of it or not. That doesn't mean that everyone is interested in climbing some social hierarchy. Because status is the position one holds in relation to others, what constitutes status will vary. It all depends on what is important to the group we want to belong to. For instance, in a sales team, the best sellers will often have a higher status than the others. In the world of soccer, the best players do. Among companies, reputational capital is often a status factor, while among political parties it can be the number of voters.
You may wonder what this have to do with natural followership? Well, if individual status is defined by what a group (or culture) emphasizes as important, then whatever status people are chasing will tell us a great deal about the values and objectives of their group. For instance, if a company places great value on titles and individual power, then this is what their employees will focus on (to varying degrees) in order to position themselves within the business. If, on the other hand, a business places great emphasis on cooperation, generosity, and creative thinking, those will be the values by which employees define their status.
Important to note is that the official values of a company have very little effect on the behavior of employees. What matters are the values that the company has in practice, that is, what behavior and attitudes the company rewards. We humans react to what is going on around us, not what someone has written on a piece of paper.
So, if you work for a company that claims to value cooperation, but you find that people are displaying the opposite - they behave competitively and gain status by winning. This tells you that although the company would like to build cooperation, they are somehow fostering competitive behavior. With that knowledge, you can methodically search for any behaviors or attitudes that may encourage competitiveness. If you then target these behaviors and simultaneously start to reward cooperative behaviors, you will find that slowly, people start defining status based on how well one cooperates with others. This process will take time and it may result in some people leaving the company because they thrive in a competitive environment, but if you truly value cooperation, then this will be a small price to pay.
Till next time, stay curious!
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Missed previous newsletters?January 12, 2024
The New Natural Followership Newsletter
Dear Subscriber,
You are receiving this email because you have signed up for news and information from followership.se or följarskap.se.
As you may have noticed, no newsletters were sent via email during the last few months of 2023. This was due to issues with our previous newsletter provider that could not be satisfactorily resolved. As a result, we have made some important changes:
1. All newsletters will now be sent via the platform Substack.
2. We have transferred your email to this platform. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, you can click "unsubscribe" at the bottom of this page.
3. Previously, we had separate newsletters in Swedish and English. Moving forward, we will only send out newsletters in English. This means that regardless of whether you signed up on följarskap.se (Swedish) or followership.se (English), you will receive the English newsletter.
While no newsletters were sent out via email in the last few months, we have been posting news on LinkedIn and Facebook. These newsletters are now also available on Substack.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to us.
Thank you for your continued support.
Best regards,
Chris
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January 7, 2024
Unlock Your Mind: Embrace Intellectual Humility
Hi everyone,
I hope you've had a delightful holiday with friends and family.
Today I came across this wonderful article by psychologist Daryl R. Van Tongeren called "The curious joy of being wrong."
From an early age, we learn to perceive being wrong as undesirable. As a child, being wrong can lead to scolding. In school, being wrong will lead to bad grades. At work, being wrong can result in failed businesses and job loss.
Because we're regularly punished for being wrong, we learn to defend our opinions and ideas to the point of absurdity.
Now, I've spent 17 years challenging my initial understanding of the world. While painful at times, being wrong has led me on a journey into the amazing world of natural followership.
As Van Tongeren states in his article, intellectual humility is the ability to accept that we don't know everything and to have the courage to change our minds when needed.
Although intellectual humility requires a degree of inner strength, it's not about being a pushover. It's about being authentic and open to growth. It allows us to learn, change, and evolve as we navigate life's complexities.
We've just started a new year. Why not start it by embracing intellectual humility? Who knows what such bravery will lead to!
Don’t miss other newsletters from naturalfollowership.com, for example:
In Defense of Democracy: The Power of Diverse Perspectives
Good news is also news
When did "news" become synonymous with "negative information"? I have a new rule for myself: no more than 15 minutes of traditional news per day. I skim through the headlines in the morning, giving myself ample time during the day to let it out of my system.
I've been doing this for more than six months now, and it has had a remarkable impact on me. I feel lighter at heart. I've found myself staring up at the sky, marveling at its size and colors. I've started noticing how much more good there is in the world compared to bad, how strangers help each other, how a smile can brighten the day, and how reaching out a hand to help someone can give you a friend for life.
There's so much good in us humans, yet we seem determined to see only that which is bad. I believe news is an issue here. Nothing drains me of energy like reading or watching the news. It's just filled with negativity.
Imagine having a friend that is always negative, always bringing up depressing topics or issues that make you sad, angry, or terrified. After an hour with this person, you're likely to feel as though the energy has been sucked out of your soul. Would you want to spend time with such a person?
The Negative News
There are several reasons why news outlets tend to focus on negative stories. For one, negative news is often more attention-grabbing and sensational than positive news. It's also more likely to evoke strong emotions, such as fear, anger, and sadness. This can make it more likely that people will click on a negative news story, share it on social media, or discuss it with friends and colleagues.
However, focusing on negative news has several negative consequences. It can lead to a sense of hopelessness and despair, which can make it difficult to see the good in the world or to believe in the possibility of positive change. It can also dull our senses, making it easier for us to accept or even ignore acts of violence, injustice, and suffering.
The Importance of Positive News
Positive news is also news. Hearing that a company has figured out a way of cleaning the ocean is just as relevant as hearing about an oil spill. Reading about a new method to reduce crime is more significant than reading about another gang-related murder. In fact, the most important news I've ever received has been positive news, like when I learned I would be a father.
Positive news plays a vital role in our mental health, our outlook on the world, and our willingness to engage in positive change. Studies have shown that exposure to positive news can boost our mood, reduce stress, and increase our optimism. It can also remind us of all the good in the world, giving us hope, and most importantly, motivating us to make a difference.
Creating a More Balanced Perspective
So, how can we create a more balanced view of the world through news coverage? One solution is to support news outlets that make a conscious effort to cover positive news stories. There are several online and print publications that focus specifically on good news, and many mainstream news outlets are starting to incorporate more positive stories into their coverage.
We can also take a more active role in shaping the news cycle ourselves. When we see a negative news story, we can take a moment to think about the positive stories that are happening in the world. We can share these stories with our friends and family, and we can encourage news outlets to cover them more prominently.
The Power of Hope
Hope is a powerful tool. It can motivate us to take action, to make a difference in the world, and to believe in the possibility of a better future. When we are constantly bombarded with negative news, it can be easy to lose sight of our hope. However, by making an effort to seek out positive news and to focus on the good in the world, we can rekindle our hope and continue to strive for a brighter future.
Gangs, Violence and Followership
Sweden is currently facing a significant surge in organized crime and gang-related violence, triggering a political debate on how to address the issue. To instil confidence, several political parties try to display strong leadership by proposing quick and forceful solutions. Unfortunately, this involves suggesting traditional measures such as longer prison sentences, lowering the age limit for life imprisonment, and increasing police presence on the streets.
In my view, this so-called leadership approach is misguided. Several studies demonstrate that toughening punishments won't prevent crime or gang violence (for example: Research Shows That Long Prison Sentences Don’t Actually Improve Safety | Vera Institute and Rethinking Prison as a Deterrent to Future Crime - JSTOR Daily)
One reason for this is that, as noted by a Swedish scholar, individuals engaging in criminal activities simply don't believe they'll get caught and arrested. So, why would they worry about the severity of punishment?
Of course, political parties are not oblivious to these facts. They're well aware of the limitations of these suggested solutions; however, they need to appear as proactive to their constituents. In other words, they want to come across as leaders. Ironically, many of their solutions are reactive; they deal with the problem after it has occurred.
I believe that if we seek real change, we must adopt a followership approach to the problem. This means shifting our focus from “how to punish criminals” to identifying (and removing) any factors leading children and adolescents into crime in the first place.
As I’ve mentioned many times before, natural followership is based on the ability to choose whom to follow. Additionally, we follow those we believe are best suited to help us achieve our goals. In other words, natural followership is driven by personal interests.
With this in mind, we must ask ourselves why we see an increase in young people joining criminal networks. The reality is that at some point, these youngsters stood at a crossroad. They could choose a law-abiding life, but instead, they chose a life of crime and violence.
It’s easy to blame the kids' personality, genetics, or upbringing, but the truth is, criminal networks are proving to be far better at understanding the power of followership. They recruit our young by meeting (or claiming to meet) their needs, goals, and interests. No punishment in the world can outmatch that.
We must re-think our approach to gangs and organized crime. It’s a huge problem and it can’t be solved by people in power playing leaders. It can only be solved by understanding the complexity of natural followership.
Spread the knowledge - share this article.
January 6, 2024
The year I discovered followership
My fascination with followership began in February 2007. Three years later, I self-published my first book on the subject (in Swedish). I had to self-publish because not a single Swedish publisher would even consider reading the manuscript. I got the impression that followership was considered a strange and rather ridiculous topic.
To my surprise, the book got some media attention. I think partly it was because it was the first time "följarskap" (followership) as a concept was introduced in Sweden. In fact, I believe it was the first time the word "följarskap" was used. The Swedish Royal Library has been digitalizing all newspapers as far back as the 1700s. When I recently searched for the word "följarskap," I found that the word "tronföljarskap" (best translated as "succession to the throne") was used once in 1925. Other than that, the first time the word "följarskap" was used was in 2010 in Dagens Nyheter, one of the largest newspapers in Sweden.
Exploring natural followership in various environments. The article was based on an interview I’d given, where I’d presented my thoughts on followership. At that time, I’d not yet developed the concept of "natural followership," although I was moving in that direction. I remember trying to explain that people only follow when they're driven by an intrinsic desire to achieve something together with others. Yet, I wasn’t very successful, and in the article, it still comes across as though followers and employees are the same, just as leaders were assumed to be managers.
For many years after that, the interest in followership in Sweden remained low. Only in the last three to five years have I noticed a significant increase in interest in the subject. I am convinced that in a few years, most successful businesses and organizations will prioritize followership as much as, if not more than, leadership.
While I’m pleased with the topic's development, my next goal is to raise awareness about the societal impact of the leadership industry and the importance of followership in sustaining and enhancing democracy worldwide. At the moment, this topic has not yet gained any attention, but I believe it will, and I do hope you join me on this journey.
A Valuable Lesson from an Elephant
My parents were deeply involved in development aid work, which meant my sister and I spent a significant portion of our childhood and adolescence in eastern and southern Africa.
In 1992, we were living in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe. In April that year, we joined another family to visit Mana Pools, a national park in the northern part of the country. We would spend one night in a two-story house within the park, nestled beside the majestic Zambezi River.
We left Harare early in the morning and arrived at the house around lunchtime. Exhausted and hungry, we grabbed some refreshments and ventured into the small garden behind the house. There, in the shade of a towering tree, we settled down to take in the beauty around us.
We were observing some hippos by the river's edge when all of a sudden, a massive elephant bull emerged from the bush. Silence enveloped us as the bull gracefully made his way toward the river, pausing occasionally to graze.
As I sat there watching the large animal, I realized that my friend (who was a year younger than me) was standing several meters closer to the elephant than the rest of us. For some reason, I found that impressive and decided to join him. But when I reached him, whether intentionally or not, he took two steps forward, once again placing himself closer to the elephant than I was.
So, I took three steps, drawing myself nearer to the elephant than everyone else. But, after a few moments, my friend took two more steps, so I did the same. We continued like this for what felt like forever. I could hear our parents telling us not to get any closer but we ignored them.
Eventually, my friend stopped moving. A sense of childish pride washed over me as I took a few more steps, realizing that I was closer to the animal than everyone else. Only then did I realize - I was close - very close. Fear overcame me. What if the bull decided to charge? In fact, didn't he seem a little agitated - the ears raised, tail stiff? I'd seen elephants charge and let me tell you, they're fast.
All of a sudden, while I was busy imagining the worst, the elephant suddenly lunged at me. I let out a scream and started running towards the house. I passed my friend, who hadn't reacted yet. I raced as fast as my legs could carry me back to the safety of the house.
Upon reaching the door, I spun around, ready to slam it shut as soon as everyone was inside. It was then that I noticed everyone standing in their original positions, gazing at me. Even the elephant seemed to regard me with a sense of bemusement.
The elephant hadn't attacked. He had turned and used his trunk to scratch his back. If I hadn't been so focused on outdoing my friend, and taking the lead, I would have maintained a comfortable distance. This would've allowed me to observe the situation more rationally.
Never let your desire to take the lead cloud your judgment. It's far wiser to do like my friend and stop while you're still in control of the situation.
April 29, 2017
And so we begin
So this is my first post on http://www.ccmono.com. To be honest, I'm somewhat surprised to see that it works. For a while, I thought the technological gods were out to get me. Actually, I'm sure they were. They must have had a hoot when I pressed some weird button and lost everything I'd done for the past week. Nevertheless, it seems they've grown bored with me, and I guess they've moved on to find some other poor bastard to bother. Let me tell you, whoever you are, you have my deepest sympathies. If it's any consolation, we all appreciate you taking one for the team.
Anyway, since this seems to be working, I might as well take the opportunity to mention that if you want a free copy of The Academy: Making of a ruler, there are a few copies available on: https://instafreebie.com/free/vYPwj
Now don't panic. People haven't discovered the book yet (or this blog), so no need to rush.
Well folks, I better stop here. I don't want to jinx anything by writing too much.
Cheers!
Inlägget And so we begin dök först upp på C.C. Monö.
