By Lori S. Goldsmith, SPHR, GPHR
One of my new followers on Twitter, @Kyle McShane, asked me how Tai Chi has helped me in HR. My immediate thought was how Tai Chi has taught me to have an “open mind and open heart”. I started practicing Taoist Tai Chi in September 2000 as a last ditch effort to save myself from back surgery. Quickly, I discovered that it is more far more than just an exercise program. It is a way of life.
“Tai Chi does not mean oriental wisdom or something exotic. It is the wisdom of your own senses, your own mind and body together as one process.” ~ Chungliang Al Huang
Before, I started practicing Tai Chi, if you had asked me to describe myself, I would have answered, “naturally helpful.” I’ve been volunteering since I was in the first grade. When I found out that Taoist Tai Chi instructors are accredited volunteers, I was deeply impressed. Instructors teach classes because they want to give back. Think they are engaged employees? From the beginning, I sensed the positive synergy and even though I never seemed to be on the right foot or facing in the right direction, I knew I wanted to progress in my training and demonstrate the dedication, and strength of character to be asked to “set lead.” Set leaders, instructors, branch council members are not viewed as being on a higher level. We are viewed just as having made a larger commitment to the Society by acceptance of additional responsibilities.
Master Moy Lin-Shin was the founder of The International Taoist Tai Chi Society. He was a sickly child. His parents sent him to the Shaolin temple in China because of the Taoist monks’ reputation for healing and longevity. As a result of his improved health, Master Moy was eager to give back and share his knowledge so others could regain their health. Master Moy was a servant leader. Tai Chi schools are usually named after the founding master. He did not want to use his name; he did not even want to be called Master. Instead, he chose to pay respect to all of the Taoist Tai Chi masters before him.
The International Taoist Tai Chi Society is the largest Tai Chi organization in the world. It is not a fighting style martial art. It is solely for health and is the only non-profit Tai Chi organization. It is one of my primary volunteer lives, HR Florida State Council being the other. The Society is made up of people from all walks of life, young, old and religious beliefs. In the context of HR, as an instructor, I am responsible for furthering the Aims and Objectives of the Society, a role model, leader and mentor.
In only five paragraphs, I’ve mentioned mission, alignment, engagement, leadership, health, wellness and diversity. Hmmm…sound something like a day in the life of an HR professional. This is the short response to Kyle’s question. For those that want to know more read on.
The Society has four Aims and Objectives:
- Make Taoist Tai Chi available to all
- Promote the Health Improving Qualities of Taoist Tai Chi
- Promote Cultural Exchange
- To Help Others
So how does each Aim and Objective helps me as an HR professional and leader?
Make Taoist Tai Chi available to all – Dedicated to bringing Taoist Tai Chi to every community, so that its many benefits are available to all who wish to experience them. In an HR context, I relate to this objective by my responsibility as an HR professional to help guide and develop all of my employees that will most benefit them while maintaining alignment with organizational goals and objectives.
Promote the Health Improving Qualities of Taoist Tai Chi – Employees healthy in body and mind are engaged employees. Zappos is a great example of feasibility of treating employees with dignity and respect and creating a fun, healthy environment to work in. We always say that we are “Playing Tai Chi”. The health benefits from the practice of Taoist Tai Chi are so significant that Canada has included it as part of their universal health care system. We are all looking for ways to reduce health care costs. Remember, it saved me from back surgery. This is an activity that can be done at any age and modified to any physical limitations. In October 2009, I posted an article, “What Does Mom and me and Taoist Tai Chi Have to do with HR?” http://bit.ly/1UFdqd highlighting in detail the health benefits Mom and me have found by practicing Taoist Tai Chi. Can you guess where that post is coming from in an HR wellness context?
Promote Cultural Exchange - When Master Moy immigrated to Canada, he was eager to learn about Western culture as he was to share his Eastern traditions. The Society’s emphasis on cultural exchange is to promote understanding and respect among people. For example, recently one of our Jewish members, Hal passed away. In the Chinese tradition, we burnt paper money (not real) in an urn to assist his journey to heaven. Afterwards, we put stones around the urn, honoring his Jewish heritage where it is customary to place stones on the grave to let your loved ones know you were there. For me personally, it was incredibly special and comforting to give Hal this send off in the Chinese tradition while not forgetting our Jewish heritage. From an HR organizational diversity perspective, how many real diversity actions have you experienced? Diversity is not an annual program. It is a way of thinking. Being neutral does not encourage diversity. Diversity is achieved by knowledge, respect and understanding. I once closed my office for ½ day to have a company luncheon. Everyone was required to bring a native dish and explain something from their culture and traditions. Native garb was an option. What a learning and growing experience to explore our differences and our similarities with open minds and open hearts.
To Help Others – Master Moy set the example of selfless giving and compassion without seeking personal gain. The International Society makes contributions to many charities around the world including building schools after natural disasters. Locally, every center participates in activities to better their community. We were good “corporate citizens” and “green” before the terms were invented. In the workplace today, corporate citizenship and sustainability programs are directly linked to competitive advantage from both, a recruiting, retention and sales perspective. SHRM released a survey that stated 35% of employees consider corporate citizenship a deciding factor whether to work for a particular organization.
Master Moy passed away in 1998. He was a man of great wisdom and foresight. As I mentioned earlier, he was a servant leader. Master Moy was also a Level 5 leader which Jim Collins describes in “Good to Great” as the ability of an organization to survive changes in leadership. Master Moy structured the organization to continue the culture and mission. On August 14, 2010 we will be celebrating our 40th anniversary – “All Cultures Moving Together in Harmony”. Worldwide we will simultaneously be doing our Tai Chi set at 10:00AM EST. How many organizations can demonstrate that level of commitment and engagement?
Even before practicing Tai Chi, ethics have always been important to me, both in the workplace and in my personal life. When faced with difficult decisions, in exploring alternative options, I would make my comparative “CLICK” test list:
Consequences – Who will benefit? Who will suffer?
Legal – Is the action legal?
Image – Would I want to tell this to my grandmother or my children?
Culture – Will the action support or damage the corporate culture of my organization?
Knot – Does the action cause a knot in my stomach?
I am not sure at what point in my Taoist Tai Chi practice when I had this “ah-ha” moment. The heart of ethics, which is why my Twitter name is @heartofhr. Master Moy had heart. The foundation of Tony Hsieh’s great success with Zappos is heart. Leadership sets the tone and the inspiration. HR is the driver and architect. Taoism and Tai Chi cannot be totally separated. Each one develops the other. Taoist Tai Chi and HR for me cannot be separated. Each one develops the other.
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