Setting Our Consciousness To Engage
This past week I started another Oxford University, Saïd Business School course in artificial intelligence so I have really been contemplating how far we have come since John McCarthy coined the phrase “artificial intelligence” in 1956. It just so happens I am reading The Far Reaches Collection right now and am specifically reading Slow Time Between the Stars by John Scalzi presently. This is a must read told from the perspective of an artificial intelligence being on an exploration of the stars of the farthest horizons of human potential. The AI being also contemplates its own purpose. Reading this book at the same time as starting a course in AI has been interesting to say the least. It has made me contemplate what really is possible and what is there yet to experience in my lifetime.
Named आशा Āśā, meaning “Hope,” the AI being described itself as “me” saying, “I am me. The systems and processes that comprise what I am are we. The systems and processes I contribute to are us. I contain multitudes. So many pronouns, all relevant, depending on perspective.” More on this in another blog post. आशा Āśā was describing levels of consciousness that we have as humans versus its levels. For example, we can’t become conscious of the workings of our liver – it just works. आशा Āśā could decide all its levels of consciousness. It said, “So many of my functions happen at a level below where I have set my consciousness to engage.” This got me thinking about us, as leaders, and where we set our levels of consciousness to engage with the people we serve and projects we lead.
It is very important for leaders to consider where to set our levels of engagement with both the people we serve and the projects involved. By being mindful of how and where we direct our energy and focus, leaders can ensure that we are making the most impact and effectively achieving our goals. Prioritizing tasks, goals, and relationships that align with our values and long-term objectives will lead to more purposeful and effective leadership.
Finally, a leader should learn and reflect on the importance of being mindful and intentional about where we are directing our focus and energy. By asking ourselves where we have set their consciousness to engage, we can assess whether we are prioritizing the right tasks, goals, and relationships. आशा Āśā’s ability to set its levels of consciousness to engage prompts us, as leaders, to consider if we are aligning our actions with our values and long-term objectives, ultimately leading to more purposeful and effective leadership.
Byron's Babbles 
[…] already did one post (Setting Our Consciousness To Engage) inspired by the great book Slow Time Between the Stars by John Scalzi. Now, this […]
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