A Contemplation through Integral Human Development
An author’s reflection on his personal well-being through IHD.
My journey in the DLSU MBA program has given me valuable insights on management and leadership as I move forward with my career in the manufacturing industry. But more than the knowledge and skills that I’ve acquired, it’s the exchanges with my peers and professors that have opened my eyes to what management is all about. Most of the time these interactions have also influenced me to reflect on my own approach as a young leader.
We all know that work-life balance is essential to improving a person’s well-being and it could also have a positive impact on the way we lead in our organizations. But this becomes an after-thought because sometimes we become so focused on achieving materialistic goals that it takes precedence over everything else in our lives, which I am also guilty of. I am hoping that taking the course Integral Human Development would somehow help me get over that hump and align me to attaining wholeness. The first step in doing so is to examine my current state of personal well-being and how its various forms are being nurtured by my organization. This time around, my reflection will be guided by the IHD flower.
Where I’m At
The material, aesthetic, and cognitive aspects of my well-being had well-nurtured petals since they are very much supported in the workplace. I would say that I am still learning and being challenged well enough at work that is why I have stayed engaged at work even though I have been working in the semiconductor manufacturing industry for quite some time now. The organizations that I have worked for have given employees like me the opportunity to express ideas and foster creativity. With the proper compensation, I am blessed to have the capacity to acquire the things that I need and sometimes want in life. Maybe I feel that way because most of my material desires are simple and I came from a very humble beginning.
My social and moral well-being are also in fine fettle since these are aspects that are embedded in my personal nature and beliefs that I grew accustomed to.
The organization that I belong to also does well in nurturing bodily and spiritual aspects, but I still see some personal room for improvement because these usually takes a back seat to the other aspects especially when we become too focused on work and performance.
One aspect that have not gotten enough support from most organizations, it is the emotional development. Seldom we see companies having programs to support emotional health maybe because of its complex nature. I am at a point in my life where I am still trying to learn and control my emotions on certain situations. Some would say, it is the passion in me that drives these emotions, but still, I do recognize that I need translate these emotions to positivity if I’m to become a better leader.
In summary, it is very much possible for organizations to support all these aspects of human development. More than the cost involved, it really depends on the willingness of everyone from top to bottom of the organization to buy-in to undertakings related to employee well-being.
Where I Should Be Headed
On a personal note, it is very important to keep in mind that even though our careers and economic growth are important in life, they are not our whole life. There are so much more things that would make as whole and truly happy like our relationship with God and family. IHD flower reminds us that having a healthy personal well-being means thriving on all eight facets of life: bodily, cognitive, emotional, aesthetic, social, moral, spiritual, and material aspects with common good in mind.
