Keiko Krahnke

In this paper, we conceptually explore the role of empathy as a connectedness organising mechanism. We expand ideas underlying positive organisational scholarship and examine leading-edge studies from neuroscience and quantum physics that give support to our claims. The perspective we propose has profound implications regarding how we organise and how we manage. First, we argue that empathy enhances connectedness through the unconscious sharing of neuro-pathways that dissolves the barriers between self and other. This sharing encourages the integration of affective and cognitive consciousness which facilitates the ability to find common ground for solution building. Second, empathy enhances connectedness through altruistic action. In giving to others, feelings of joy and harmony are activated. This in turn allows personal freedom to be enriched and transcendence from the rational ego-self is reduced to develop a more expansive, integrated and enlightened state underlying connectedness. Finally, empathy enhances connectedness which results in sharing the quantum field of coherence where there is little separation between self and other. This means living beyond self-interest in a coherent world based upon interdependent wholeness rather than atomization and separation. Empathy allows us to find that state of coherent connectedness.

This article explores the concept of knowledge as an internal process of inner knowing. In the educational context, we describe our experiences in using art in the classroom to assist our students in accessing this inner knowing. We describe the design and use of such creative expressions. Our findings indicate that students have to integrate both right- and left-brain thinking to access their inner tuition. This slows down linear thinking in order to access the more affective-based learning process. Further, it encourages students to experiment with non-linear methods of learning. We argue that these findings assist students in accessing more choices in their decision making, which in turn will build managers who energize, revitalize and facilitate the growth of humanity through organizational compassion and understanding.

A grounded theory study reveals that when nine key concepts are present, workers find the optimal meaning of work. The concepts provide the constructs for the emergent work and human evolution theory. The theory is: ;"For work to be meaningful to the individuals, it must provide a framework where people with different backgrounds and needs can choose to grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually at our own speed and will, experiment and discover our essence, manifest our vision in a concrete practical manner, be of service to others, and be purposeful by doing something we enjoy in the world with both visible and invisible guidance." ;When an organization understands the relationship between work and human evolution, it becomes critical to reconceptualize the organizational view of work and people. The reconceptualization is critical in meeting the challenges of the coming era