Integral Sustainability: Leading the Integrated Approach to Organisational Success

By Dr. Ron Cacioppe and David McDermott


Environmental sustainability is a major global concern and the negative social and environmental effects of industrial processes can no longer be ignored. Currently, our appalling treatment of the environment includes the bringing to extinction of species in the natural world at the rate of one hundred per day and destruction of the equivalent of one football field of tropical rainforest per second.

Though aware of environmental issues, global industry is predominantly employing processes and systems that arise directly from a mindset that dates back to the Industrial Revolution. Central to this mindset is the separation of body and mind, matter and spirit, humans and nature, internal experience and external objects, science and art, thoughts and things, business and culture – we have separated ourselves from the delicate and intricate web of relationships that constitute the very nature of life on Earth and in the universe.

The ecosystems of the natural world comprise a delicate and intricate web of relationships that operate interdependently. While providing a sufficient return to shareholders is an important objective, it is one that must be achieved via processes that contribute to the restoration and preservation of these ecosystems, to the benefit of humankind.

Is it possible for humans to live and work in a way that is not only in harmony with the natural environment, but also improves and develops organisations, communities and nations? Can we go to work in buildings that not only require no energy from the ‘national grid’, but also generate energy back into the grid? Can we create products from natural materials that not only do no harm, but also contribute to the wellbeing of humankind?

It takes passion, commitment and entrepreneurial spirit to challenge age-old mindsets and adopt a new way of working. The Integral vision for sustainability is to find a way that guides us towards achieving a common good, whilst recognising the importance of producing and increasing economic reward.
For more information please contact David McDermott

Experience Wheeha! At Work: A fun goal setting process

Some words are near impossible to say with anything less than clear purpose and total commitment. "Wheeha!" is one of them.


For ten years, Penny Young has been helping groups of people discover exactly what it means, then shout it from the rooftops. "Wheeha! is a planning and goal-setting process that operates like a game," she says. "It works by helping each individual pinpoint their unique joys in life, then helping them prioritise those things to achieve an ideal life/ work balance."

Penny's playful but profound strategy for enhancing personal and professional vision evolved out of 15 years of corporate training and goal setting. On that journey she discovered her own passion for planning as a means of nurturing positive outlooks and general wellbeing at all levels of staff and management.

"The game started as a fun, group-friendly personal navigation system for achieving satisfaction and enjoyment in life, but we also see incredible side effects in terms of understanding and cohesion between players," she says.

"Sharing our most cherished dreams and aspirations is a powerful way of connecting with other people. It also enables employers to really understand their staff, to best utilise their talents, to meet their needs and ultimately make them happier and more effective communicators and team members."

Fun is the key word and primary goal of Wheeha! The game begins with a series of easy imagination exercises that generate tantalising vistas of possibility within each player's reach. With the crucial support of the group facilitator and other players, every participant is offered the hope, confidence and courage to turn possibility into reality. Penny Young says "Wheeha! is a brilliant tool for making the most of life. It may not be magic, but magic does seem to happen to people who play, and to the work environment they create."

Download a flier or contact Jonah Cacioppe at jonah@integral.org.au for further information about running Wheeha! for your team.