Building with Purpose
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Building with Purpose
Eventually it could not be put off any longer – the old home had to be renovated. And whilst we were about it, time to add an extra room and a bathroom. A big work entailing a 12-month building project and the required approval from our local council.
During the few years delay of putting off this decision we started to ask around about best available architect, builder, designer and about all those many things that we are not expert at when it comes to a building project like this.
Without expectation, we knew that key and experienced resources would come into place if we didn’t interfere with what was naturally coming towards us. No drive, just being aware and the answers would be given…
The feedback from friends and colleagues was overwhelmingly negative – this residential building industry is mostly dysfunctional, the players lack accountability, there is generally a lack of mutual respect between the building industry professionals, whilst the inflation rates of building services and materials far exceeded other categories and there were many uncomfortable stories about neighbourhood and council feuds. And what would interest rates do to project funding?
All designed to create hesitancy, paralysis by analysis and even fear. What should have been an exciting project had this feeling of ‘avoid, delay, procrastinate’.
But there was also the overriding knowing that this building, that has been and remains so much part of every intimacy of our lives and serving of so many who had visited it, needed an upgrade and a significant tune up.
What eventually became clear, albeit a subliminal message was - ‘Don’t listen to the detractors. Follow your heart or more so, follow the impulse. Let’s show them how.’
The constant hammering thoughts of the analytical, controlling mind were eventually settled and there was simply the impulse to unquestioningly move forward with a knowing that something much bigger was at play and that we were being guided every step of the way. So long as we got ‘self’ out of the way.
The ideal architect and builder were sent our way.
Our first meeting went like this: ‘Gents’, we said, ‘We are not here to renovate and partly build a magnificent home. Yes, we would love to be on budget, on time and for the ultimate result to be a dream home.’
‘But – forget all that. We are here, together, to change the building industry! Nothing less matters.’
We never planned to say that – it simply was said in the moment, as if the inner voice, one’s Soul, had taken over. It was the sound of reassurance. This is it – just move towards this project with due purpose for all of humanity and the rest will take care of itself.
The architect and builder both looked puzzled. They were small businesses that would hardly register on the industry-scape.
We continued - ‘We all are first, foremost and forever going to lead with integrity. This is not just appropriate sounding words. This is the foundation, the walls, the roof, the everything of this project. This is energetic integrity. Which means there is no shade of integrity and no discount off integrity. It is absoluteness – the only form of integrity.’
‘Complete transparency, decency and collaboration. No dissing each other. No gaslighting. No goading. No gossip. No hidden agendas. The site and all who worked there, were to be free of any traces of drugs or alcohol. Obviously, nothing sly or corrupt. Neighbours are key stakeholders. Respect for the consultants, subcontractors, materials suppliers and regulators. Absolute respect. Nothing less. We are to take everyone on this journey. It is not about what we do, it is how we do it and how we treat all of us, all the time.’
And so, each week, when we had our site meetings, one of either the architect or the builder, half-jokingly but also with serious intent, would start the meeting ‘This is not simply a building project. We are changing the industry.’
Increasingly they learnt that these were not hollow words. They purposefully took on the true meaning of what it is to change an industry. Even from a micro position within that industry. Literally, brick by brick, relationship by relationship, these changes took place.
When there was a dispute, a disagreement, an absence of full understanding, we simply downed tools. We discussed the matter. We heard each other. We moved as one until there was full agreement and understanding. Everyone on the same page, without any project paralysis. Every time. Month on month.
They also learned what immediacy looked like. Initially, it was ‘normal’ that one could reply to an email next week… when one had the time. After a few weeks of working together, their responses became near immediate. Even if they were unavoidably indisposed, they communicated and explained that they will get back with the detail, very soon. And they did so.
They too started to pull others up for not being responsive, when just a few months prior – they seemed to have far less concept of what responsivity was!
There is so much one could write about here as to how this all came together but, in a few words – energetic integrity, shared purpose, responsibility, responsivity and the highest form of collaboration ruled. Everyone lifted and the project moved with an exquisite rhythm and flow. Everyone felt the enormous difference from the tensions and unsettlement of usual building projects.
As owners, we totally committed to all the players that we would forever be a reference for their great work on this project and that we would be prepared to show their next prospective clients the masterpiece of their craft. Always highlighting to those prospects ‘integrity and collaboration came first’. Our appreciation of their work resonated and rippled everywhere.
Building regulators took note. Sub-contractors loved it. The site workers truly appreciated the group sessions that sometimes included them. They acknowledged the snacks we brought to the site for them, all as part of the appreciation and bonding.
It was not perfect, but it was always collaborative. Always respectful and always about everyone and all the stakeholders.
Loose talk that sledged or degraded another was never tolerated and eventually, was never uttered further.
It was not about time or money. Time does not exist, and money matters can only follow integrity.
Did we change the entire industry? Yes, the ripple effect was undeniable and forever a blueprint for a wide and widening circle of people and is today still rippling further.
Never succumb to the delusion that we cannot make a difference – we can, and we do! Big time and on a very big stage.
Imagine if the health workers in the chronically dysfunctional health industry decided ‘integrity and collaboration’ rules. Imagine if the management, the food scientists and the frontline workers of the food industry started a similar movement. Imagine if the media sector got on board with absolute integrity. And what if politics was replaced by integrity. There is no such thing as democracy when integrity is absent. Which means there is no true democracy in the world today.
Imagine all industries and institutions changing the paradigm of what work truly is. It starts with us… all of us.
Integrity first, then we agree on true purpose, and we expand and collaborate from there.
Filed under
Humanity, Money, Relationships, Responsibility, Purpose
