Letter of Inspiration #17 - What we believe in

What do we believe in today? What provides us with a framework, orientation, and stability? The way we were raised, the influence of our parents or other significant figures during our formative years, has a deep, albeit unconscious, impact on our later lives. Our earliest memories typically begin at around age 4, so the years before are formative but unconscious. Looking back, the upbringing during these early years in Western Europe was predominantly Christian. Christian values and traditions were instilled and passed down to us. This had its advantages, as we all shared a similar value system that guided our actions. We understood what was right and wrong, even if we didn't always adhere to it. We were aware of the consequences of our actions when we acted inappropriately.

The number of people leaving the church is higher than the number joining, leading to questions about contemporary belief systems replacing Christianity. But what or whom do people believe in?

Successful companies with a strong corporate identity embody their defining values in a concise form. On professional platforms like LinkedIn, you often see phrases like "ex-Google" or "ex-McKinsey" in job descriptions. Even after leaving the company, the previous affiliation and shared values are still highlighted. I believe that companies today have a stronger influence on people's values compared to what we may have seen in our grandparents' time. The experiences of a 20-year-old in 2024 are vastly different from those in 1984. Elite universities like Harvard, Oxford, or Yale are known for teaching an ideology alongside knowledge. However, this is a crucial time when individuals seek a sense of belonging and guiding values from life and the business world to find their way. Every step leaves a trace, and after a few years in professional life, this can lead to a crisis of orientation and identity. Who am I actually? What am I really good at? Where do I belong?

The question of identity
The question of "Who am I?" arises after every job change. People seek answers through activities like yoga, mindfulness training, coaching, self-discovery seminars, sabbaticals, and travel in order to escape the daily routine and gain clarity in the unknown. Answering this question isn't easy; Even great thinkers like Descartes and Wittgenstein haven't provided a definitive answer. Descartes famously said "I think, therefore I am." Wittgenstein, on the other hand, didn't view the "I" as a valid concept, considering it to be a linguistic misunderstanding. In the Bible, the divine response to Moses' question about who is sending him is "I am who I am" (Exodus 3:14-15). It's evident that the answer comes from within, not from a temporary value system. Perhaps the real question isn't "Who am I?" but rather "What do I believe in?”.

The Order of the Garter is one of the most exclusive Orders still awarded in Britain and one of the most prestigious in Europe. There is the structure of Orders and Decorations in the British monarchy. The significant difference between the two is that one becomes part of an Order. The award of a Decoration is not about the community, but "just" about the recognition itself.

What makes the Order of the Garter so special? Founded in 1348 to bind the most important knights even more closely to the king during the Hundred Years' War between France and England. The Order has only 24 members and, unlike other Orders, is not inherited but must be earned. It is regarded as a prestigious Order and, with the exception of the former Emperor Akihito and Emperor Naruhito of Japan, all the holders are Christian. An interesting detail, if you think about the discussion of values from the text above.

Everyone knows the idea of alumni meetings, think tanks, etc. Why should one attend such meetings? And, what makes a strong community? Clear codes, recurring rituals, the duration of existence, the importance of the association, the reason for existence, the obvious commitment via a symbol or landmark, such as the color of the ribbon in blue, a breast star, coat and hat as the Order's costume, as well as limited places, in this case 24 and a monarch family that has maintained, preserved and led the Order for 667 years.