Living in a Flat World

Don’t get me wrong, I still subscribe to the fact that the world is round.  It is the way the world works now that makes the globe flat in its pursuit of global effectiveness.

Lines can cross continents, making everything within reach and seen through satellites and webcams.

Knowledge is no longer in the monopoly of the schooled, the experienced and the mature.  It can also belong to the young interested intelligent minds.

As I was listening to the corporate chaplain of San Miguel Corporation, Fr. Armand Robleza during his talk with the employees he said that “in today’s global economy, where the world’s food of knowledge doubles every two to two and a half years” we continue to survive in a flat world.

The flatness indicates the ease in which information can be accessed. The world can be captured in one inter-connected office with a good DSL and the speedier transmitter is a clear frame of reference in the communication process.

Thoughts have the facility of transferring into productive action when the barrier of mistrust is broken.  This accelerates transactions whether it be business or personal.

Steven Covey who has authored 7 Basic Habits of Highly Effective People now delves into further hasten positive results through “the speed of trust.”

For Fr. Armand, trust becomes the basis of enabling relations.  Its lack becomes the greatest setback.

Trust is important in a global economy based on knowledge workers.  Piracy is easy through the net.  Duplicity and other shady deals can be effortless through a “non-confrontational” environment where identities can be contrived.

Take for instance the submission of a manuscript to a publisher through electronic mail or the passing on of an original musical composition to a blog listed producer.  Grabbing intellectual properties is simple with the lose measures for protection.

There is a high demand for integrity with good intentions in the flat society.  Trust empowers competence for skill without reliability is nil. 

If you notice, the newspaper ads for jobs no longer cry for EXPERIENCED and mature workers.  Their needs now point out the desire for the  “teachable, trainable, good character” employees.

Time or technology has not changed the basic requirement of a worker.  Character overpowers the initial competence written in well manicured resumés. No amount of medals and documented declarations of skill can compensate for the practice of sound ethical standards.

Living in a flat world opens vulnerabilities that only truth can withstand, and honesty, survive.