Episode 19 Part 1 Tomas Björkman - Education for societal shifts

Summary

The transcript is from an episode of the 'Name It' podcast hosted by Jonas Oganowski, featuring guest Thomas Borman, a social entrepreneur, founder of the EET Foundation, and author. They discuss the concept of collective agency, contrasting it with natural elements like oxygen, and how societal constructs like money and markets are human inventions that can be changed through collective action. Borman emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning and inner growth for individuals and organizations. The conversation touches on the need for education to foster skills and capacities to meet global challenges and the UN's sustainable development goals. It also explores the potential for societal transformation due to rapid technological advancements, suggesting that education should prepare individuals not just for the current world but also for a future that may require a new worldview and social structure.

Takeaways

• 🌿 **Nature Connection**: The importance of early connection with nature and its influence on personal development and societal change.
• 🔢 **Academic to Business**: Transitioning from academic pursuits in mathematics and physics to a career in entrepreneurship and banking, reflecting on the limitations of traditional economic models.
• 💡 **Lifelong Growth**: The significance of not only lifelong learning but also lifelong growth and maturation, both cognitively and emotionally, for individuals and society.
• 🌱 **Personal Development**: The role of leadership development consultants in highlighting the importance of personal growth within business and its broader applications.
• 🤝 **Corporate Culture**: The impact of corporate culture on organizational success and the necessity for an environment that fosters positive culture development.
• 🌐 **Global Constructs**: Recognizing that constructs like money, markets, and nation-states are human-made and can be changed through collective agency.
• 🛒 **Market Myth**: The metaphor of money versus oxygen to illustrate the difference between natural necessities and human constructs that are subject to change.
• 🧐 **Rational Limitations**: Acknowledging the value and limitations of rational scientific worldviews and the need to complement them with other perspectives for a comprehensive understanding.
• 🌟 **Societal Shift**: The potential for a significant societal shift due to rapid technological advancements, necessitating new skills and capacities for individuals.
• 📚 **Education for Change**: The need for education systems to prepare individuals for a world that is constantly evolving and to foster creativity and critical thinking.
• 🌈 **Inner Development Goals**: The connection between personal development and the United Nations' sustainable development goals, emphasizing the role of inner growth in achieving societal objectives.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the podcast episode with Thomas Borman?

The main theme of the podcast episode is exploring the importance of lifelong learning, inner growth, and maturation in organizations, management, and society, as well as discussing the metaphorical relationship between oxygen and money concerning collective agency and societal change.

What is Thomas Borman's background before he became a social entrepreneur?

Thomas Borman was an entrepreneur and investment banker, having built a banking business in Scandinavia and later in Switzerland. He also served as chairman of the banking group in Scandinavia and was on the board of directors of a Swiss bank.

What is the EET Foundation that Thomas Borman founded?

The EET Foundation, founded by Thomas Borman, is a social entrepreneurship initiative based in Stockholm. The foundation focuses on the connection between personal inner growth and societal change.

What are the Inner Development Goals (IDGs) framework?

The Inner Development Goals (IDGs) framework is a concept that Thomas Borman is involved in, which is related to the United Nations' sustainable development goals. It emphasizes the importance of personal development and societal change in meeting global challenges.

How does Thomas Borman view the difference between oxygen and money?

Thomas Borman views oxygen as a natural necessity that humans cannot change or do without, whereas money is a human invention that could be changed or removed if collectively decided upon by society. He points out that there is a misunderstanding in society that planetary boundaries are negotiable, while market forces are obeyed without question, when in fact, the opposite is true.

What is the concept of 'Collective agency' mentioned by Thomas Borman?

Collective agency refers to the ability of a group or society to come together and make decisions or changes that affect the collective whole. Borman discusses how society has become less adept at exercising collective agency, which is crucial for addressing global challenges and enacting societal change.

What does Thomas Borman suggest is the role of education in fostering skills to meet global challenges?

Borman suggests that education needs to foster not just knowledge and skills but also the capacities for lifelong learning, personal growth, and maturation. It should also encourage a critical and creative mindset that allows individuals to understand and potentially reinvent societal constructs like money and markets.

What is the significance of the 'social imaginaries' or 'Collective imaginaries' in Thomas Borman's discussion?

Social or Collective imaginaries are the shared beliefs, values, and constructs that societies operate on, such as money, nation-states, marriage, and religion. Borman discusses how these are human inventions that have taken on a reality of their own, shaping societal norms and behaviors, but also how they are changeable if society chooses to do so.

How does Thomas Borman connect personal development with societal change?

Borman connects personal development with societal change by emphasizing the importance of inner growth and maturity in individuals as a prerequisite for creating a positive corporate and societal culture. He argues that personal development can lead to a more caring and aware society, capable of addressing global challenges and enacting change.

What is the relevance of Thomas Borman's discussion on the market and economy to the field of education?

Borman's discussion is relevant to education as it highlights the need for educational systems to prepare individuals for a rapidly changing world. This includes understanding the constructed nature of economic systems and the potential for reinvention, encouraging a mindset that is adaptable, innovative, and capable of critical thinking.

What does Thomas Borman propose as the starting point for a new approach to education?

Borman proposes that education should start by making individuals aware that the world is shifting and that societal constructs are open to reimagining and recreation. This awareness can empower people to take on a more creative role in shaping the future, fostering a sense of agency and participation in societal development.