Presence and integrity
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Presence and integrity
Lately at work I’ve noticed there seems to be less and less common sense when it comes to keeping things simple, practical and real – but does it have to be that way?
I was part of a work meeting that I was able to attend, where I observed noticeable emotional dynamics among the participants. There was clear interpersonal tension and subtle competition, yet no one openly addressed it.
From a human perspective, the discussion revolved around a campaign that everyone had strong opinions on, pros and cons were exchanged extensively. The conversation oscillated between what would be most effective, who had the better insight, and where allegiances stood. Fundamentally, it felt like most were in disagreement. The dynamics between the different personalities were tangled and conflicting.
For me, it was strikingly evident for the first time that the discussion wasn't actually about the campaign itself – but rather about how much attention each individual was trying to secure. It wasn’t about success or failure. It was about visibility and relevance, being seen, being heard, and ultimately being validated as a means of professional survival.
Later, I sat down with my boss to discuss the meeting in more detail. I explained in normal corporate language what I had observed: namely, what the participants in the meeting wanted and what it was actually about. My boss looked at me and said, "Wow, you hit the nail on the head. You have a special gift for speaking things out and observing situations." I had this dialogue going on inside me: 'Huh? Anyone can do that. You do it too, otherwise you wouldn't observe the same thing I did.' I replied, "That's not a special gift. Anyone can do that." He then said, "Yes, but no one dares to do it." To which I then replied, "Exactly, because everyone chooses comfort” over truth.
Then there was silence.
People often frame perception and insight as rare abilities. But isn’t that strange? It’s something we are all naturally born with. It’s our innate human capacity to observe, to sense, and to understand what’s going on beneath the surface. And with the awareness we've deepened over time through practices and frameworks we have encountered, it becomes even more accessible, just as it's completely natural for a dog to bark when vibration changes.
It’s not mystical. It’s by design.
So how did we come to believe that clear perception is a rare privilege, reserved for a few? How deeply have we internalised the idea, likely conditioned by fear or cultural norms, that awareness, discernment and presence are somehow separate from us?
We often choose familiarity and convenience over presence and integrity. What if we chose integrity over comfort instead?
Filed under
Communication, Conflict, Emotions, Presence
