Five years ago, I embarked on a journey that would redefine my understanding of success. After years of scaling the corporate ladder—an era I refer to as my "thoughtless pursuit of more"—I founded The Human Operating System. It wasn't just a career pivot. It was a deliberate shift away from more stuff toward better outcomes. This newsletter serves as a testament to that commitment. Yet as 2024 unfurls, I find myself entrenched in this journey, armed with the same zeal yet faced with the same perplexities as when I began.
So, what keeps me tethered to this quest?
Getting Messy.
For months, I've pondered this question, my thoughts oscillating between epiphany and despair. Despite efforts to keep perspective, I've been caught in a cycle of clarity and confusion—a journey that, though often invisible to the outside world, has left me feeling challenged and enlightened at the same time. My realization? I'm really fucking lonely.
Running a consulting and advisory business has been one of the most demanding experiences of my life. Beyond the constant hustle and the unpredictability of business, lies the deeper struggle of isolation. It's a path fraught with challenges, leaving me yearning for connection and support.
Acknowledging my need for companionship on this journey was a significant, albeit difficult, step. My past—a childhood full of unanswered pleas for help—had taught me to shield my vulnerabilities. But driven by a desire for growth and change, I broke through these self-imposed barriers. I began to share my struggles and aspirations, embracing the power of vulnerability. I got messy and uncomfortable on purpose.
An outlook.
This all led me to the concept of radical collaboration. More than a buzzy phrase, radical collaboration is an outlook that champions the convergence of diverse minds and spirits. It's about transcending traditional boundaries to create something far greater than the sum of its parts—a synergy of respect, openness, and mutual benefit, amplified to its fullest.
In my journey towards radical collaboration, I've engaged in a variety of projects that epitomize this mindset. From devising strategies to address corporate burnout through compassion, to empowering purpose-driven leaders in articulating their legacies, and even exploring the human art of storytelling, each project has been a testament to the transformative power of collaborative efforts. I'm early in the game. But these experiences have enriched my life. They've illuminated a personal path towards growth and fulfillment that extends to the work I love to do.
My pursuit now is twofold: to continue this personal evolution and to contribute to better human outcomes, defined broadly and with sheer abundance. While the autonomy of running my own business is invigorating, it's within the collective strength of collaboration that I've discovered true passion.
Join me?
So, here's my call to action: Let's embrace the adventure of radical collaboration together. If you're curious about the potential that lies in our collective strengths, if you have stories of collaboration that have reshaped your perspective or your world, I invite you to join me in conversation.
But this is more than just an invitation; it’s a call for openness, for sharing, for collective dreaming. Let's explore the vast possibilities of radical collaboration, seeking not just the extraordinary but the transformative. This is how I plan on finding my tribe, leading to finding a place I might even call home.
If this message resonates with you, I urge you to reach out directly. Let's share our journeys, our insights, and our aspirations. As we embark on this path together, your experiences and perspectives are not just valuable—they're vital.
Together, we can challenge the conventional, explore the unexplored, and redefine the limits of what's possible. Let’s make this journey a collective one. We'll be in pursuit of quality through radical collaboration that just might change our lives. Let's go.
With warmth, respect, and gratitude.
You know I'm SO DOWN. Looking forward to our next catch-up.
Absolutely LOVED your words & willingness to be vulnerable and yet so relatable at the same time.
Thank you for being YOU!
I feel like you are my “tribe” and would love to be apart of your community
Blessings always & keep writing
Nix G
Cape Town