Purpose connects everything together
About Peace Chiefs
There’s a lot to be learned from the wisdom of the people who still live in keeping with the traditions of their ancestors. Connected with nature and the elements, living in the here and now. In the modern Western world we’re generally taught that our mind is the most effective tool we have to help us function well and live a good life. It’s a belief we absorb from the day we are born and is part of the system we move within.
We have lost touch with the conscious awareness that we exist in several dimensions and need to take good care of all of them. I call these dimensions the four rooms: as well as a mental room, there are also physical, emotional and spiritual rooms. To fully flourish you need to develop yourself in all these rooms and ensure they are in balance. This applies not only to individuals, but also to groups of people such as teams, organisations and communities.
A Peace Chief in Native American culture is someone who inspires and challenges people to find and follow their own path. Who creates connection where it is needed and brings people together so that collectively they can achieve great things.
Why?
We believe there is an urgent need to transform our society into a world that gives rise to new forms of integral and inclusive collaboration to help restore the balance between humans and nature.
Our mission is to make as many people as possible aware of their purpose, to connect and support them in bringing about a world in which people and nature can thrive.
For three decades George greatly enjoyed working in a variety of business roles, including in family offices and philanthropic organisations. People He has worked with describe him as a Peace Chief – an astute leader and guide, skilled at reading people and situations.
In 2018, George spent some time with the Ojibwa, a Native American tribe in Michigan. From that moment his personal and professional journeys became interlinked. Sometimes you need the experience and wisdom of others to feel clarity, to understand it and direct your life towards it. His stay with the Ojibwa people was such a time. A week spent in nature, listening to and experiencing the underlying intent. That there is a reason for the way you want to live and what you are and do – a purpose.
Since then he has focused mainly on the dynamic between people, their purpose and on the question what role family foundations and other philantropic organisations can play.
“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.”
“If you have a strong purpose in life, you don’t have to be pushed. Your passion will drive you there.”
Michigan, 2018
Purpose
Advising and guiding family businesses
Business families and family businesses strive for continuity and unity. Their work is rooted in a mission and vision that usually surpasses profit and financial return. They care about the wider world and their impact on it, and they think in terms of generations. Supporting them in defining this mission and vision and advising them on how to “pass the business on to the next generation” lies at the heart of this work.
Coaching
Coaching individuals and teams around awareness and change
Helping people to discover their intrinsic drive and to be who they really are. Living and working from your true purpose. It can be challenging – especially in the context of the roles and responsibilities you may encounter within a family or in leading a company. It is a process that takes time, insight and courage. We provide coaching for individuals and teams that is based on a vision of the person behind the role and an understanding of the dynamics at play between people.
Philantropic advice
Advising philanthropic organisations on aspiration and strategy
Philantropy has an essential role to play in changing systems. Many family foundations and other philanthropic organisations are fully aware of the urgent need for action but are unsure what steps to take. Based on our mission and experience we facilitate them in arriving at an integrated strategy. For example on the topic of fighting the climate crisis there are solutions at hand to avert this. To start with a sound strategy.
“He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.”
“Your purpose in life is to find your purpose and give your whole heart and soul to it.”
“The world is not ours, the earth is not ours, It’s a treasure we hold in trust for future generations.”
Michigan, 2018
Inspiration
Igniting individual purpose
in times of crisis
Creating strong links to an individual purpose benefits individuals and companies alike—and could be vital in managing the postpandemic uncertainties that lie ahead.