The Connectivity Matrix

What is the Connectivity Matrix?

 

The Connectivity Matrix is a concept that offers a multidimensional view of everyday life, showing these layers as four distinct spheres: Community, Corporate, Nature, and Spirituality. Like different parts of a puzzle, each sphere unlocks yet another important aspect of our lives. Two of the spheres have elements that make them readily visible to us allowing us to physically relate to them. The other two don’t have physical forms. They are essentially invisible. Can you guess which two? The Connectivity Matrix helps us explore the purpose, significance, and connection of each of the four spheres so we can be more aware of the roles of each in our everyday lives and allow each in turn to deepen our life experiences and opportunities.

 

An introduction to the Community and Corporate Spheres

 

The Community and Corporate Spheres partner well together yet they are as dissimilar as day and night. Each requires different sets of skills, and each produces very different outcomes. The Community Sphere is to do with people hence it represents itself as a visible physical world. It is not actually only about people. However, as we will encounter other living and non-living communities in the Nature Sphere, we’ll leave the Community Sphere as the domain for people.

 

It surprises many to realise that the Corporate Sphere is imagined. It has been created. This sphere is built on constructed ideas, rules, and systems that give us agreed pathways to trade and collaborate with strangers. In realising it is imagined, I began to understand why there is a need for so much documentation! There needs to be evidence of its existence, purpose, legitimacy, and agreement, making sure that people clearly understand what is being conveyed, where the authority lies, who is responsible for what, and how to communicate with each other.

 

The Community and Corporate Spheres exist in individuals and communities all around the world. They occur in different degrees and in a variety of forms, but they are there.

 

An overview of the Nature and Spirituality Spheres

 

The third sphere, Nature, is thankfully becoming more visible, but only because it is so out of balance through neglect, and it is making that known to us in no uncertain terms. For too long nature has been taken for granted, we’ve taken so much from it without giving it space and time to do what it needs to do to keep the complex and amazing equilibrium of this planet. Humans are part of nature, and completely dependent on it. The Nature Sphere provides us opportunities to be reminded of its universal scope and diversity that we must treat with more care and respect.

 

The Spirituality Sphere is the fourth and is often not even acknowledged as an existing sphere of life. Its qualities are not visible. However, it is common for people, regardless of whether they belong to a faith group or not, to experience spiritual moments in their everyday lives. Feelings like inspiration, wellbeing, happiness, resilience, empathy, wonderment, and love are all part of the Spiritual Sphere. Can you imagine a world without these qualities?

 

One of the most internationally accepted corporate frameworks, the business or strategic plan, is based on spirituality. I’m referring to ‘vision’ and ‘mission’ statements. These elements are recognised as a must-have in organisations of all sizes. Yet these words do not represent economic measurements. They are motivational words, and motivation belongs in the Spirituality Sphere. Yet how many organisations include the fostering of spirit in their corporate processes?

 

Conclusion

 

There is more of a relationship between the four spheres than initially meets the eye. The four spheres are crucial not only to our lives and personal wellbeing, but also to the future of our planet. The Connectivity Matrix can guide us to better understand the diverse layers of life and living.

 

If you’re interested, you can find more on the Connectivity Matrix in chapter two of my book Just Add Spirit.