Perspectives are what distinguish people from one another. It produces a sense of uniqueness in one’s charisma. Not just people, but seeing different businesses as different sorts of persona sometimes helps us understand the true stance of the organisations that choose to exist and serve their niche. This is partially because the authority of these businesses lies with specific individuals responsible for running them, with their own organisational goals in mind. As a result, stoicism finds a way to blend well with the corporate culture. The concept of which didn’t used to be the same in ancient philosophy, and it took a drastic turn in altering the core of its ideology throughout the years.
Dated back to 300 BCE, the notion of stoicism was introduced by Zeno of Citium as an ancient Greek philosophy, which practically referred to the emphasis on personal virtue, self-control and rationality as a means of achieving a serene and content life. Accepting things beyond one’s control, embracing trials, and growing inner strength were all part of Stoic beliefs. While the ancient Stoics did not discuss capitalism as we know it today, their concepts can still be applied to many facets of life, including economic systems.
The change was gradual but ever so significant. Every time history was made in the world of businesses, modern stoicism acted as a catalyst in the brewing of such events. There’s no denying that this drastic change in an entire school of thought, to the point where the ancient references became almost irrelevant, is not something that happened overnight. Each day, it manifested gradually until it reached a point where it didn’t have to.
Flash forward, modern stoicism, as we know it, defines the ability to endure hardships without expressing emotions and complaining. Furthermore, it symbolises stress, overworking, and conflict resolution, all opposing the ancient explanation: serenity and contentment.
Early stoicism often referred to its seven pillars: Virtue is the highest good, Indifference to External Events, Acceptance of Fate, Rationality, Mindfulness, Negative Visualisation, and Self-Discipline. Even though the expressions faded over time, in the agora of contemporary literature, stoicism remains the sole thing which stands firmly, possessing relevance in its entirety.
In a corporate scenario, a leader is expected to withhold three prime qualities for sustenance: Innovativeness, Resilience, and Creativity. All of this resembles the original school of thought when it comes to stoicism, and thus, organisations have started to incorporate such a school of studies, eventually producing a capitalistic society.
If you look closer, you will see that the metamorphosis of ancient stoicism into a modern school of thought can be attributed to the adaptability and universality of stoic principles. In short, individuals and organisations have benefited from the Stoic philosophy’s emphasis on personal resilience, emotional intelligence, and a concentration on what can be controlled repeatedly.
Additionally, here are some key factors which help catalyse the incorporation of ancient stoic philosophy into contemporary corporate/motivational context:
Resilience in the Face of Challenges: Resilience is a quality deemed eligible to become a leader in any business organisation; it’s the rigidity against the unforeseen barriers externally/internally affecting the business that speaks of the valour of an entrepreneur. But, as we have gone through the ancient philosophy of the Stoics, this makes it all the more relevant in reshaping the core meaning and injecting it into the hive of the corporate culture.
Mindfulness and Awareness of the Present: Stoics believed that practising mindfulness of their thoughts and actions and focusing on the present led to a life of peace and virtue. That very concept is being applied to the contemporary corporate day-to-day scenario, where the leaders are expected to keep their minds open to any internal or external ingredients that have the potential to change the course of the business so that decisions can be made quickly and efficiently, attaining higher productivity, along the way.
Stoic Exercises and Practices: To enhance self-awareness and emotional resilience, ancient stoics engaged in negative imagery and journaling. Some of these exercises have been modernised and integrated into coaching and motivational programs. For example, techniques like gratitude journaling and cognitive reframing are akin to stoic approaches.
Goal Setting and Personal Development: Early stoicism encouraged individuals to set realistic and achievable goals, which aligns with the modern emphasis on personal development and goal-oriented approaches.
Integration with Positive Psychology: Positive psychology, which focuses on human qualities and well-being, is similar to stoicism. Modern leaders are envisioned as having a positive outlook towards their lives, emphasising the importance of cultivating virtues, managing emotions, and finding meaning and purpose in the face of possible adversities.
Author: Sultanul Arefeen
