My husband and I have been living in the idyllic countryside of France since the summer of 2020. Leaving the fast paced city life of Dubai behind and settling in was a challenge at first, but after some time I found my place. While the silence of the countryside was initially confronting, I learnt to really listen – and soon the silence became beautifully loud. I found peace in the melodic chirping of birds surrounding me every waking moment of the day, the wind ruffling the leaves of the walnut tree in our garden, and the croaks of toads down by the river echoing through the valley, lulling me to sleep at night. The pace of life is slower and the interactions in this small town community are largely based on reciprocation. Due to being somewhat isolated, people find solace, connection, and strength through the exchange of goods and services.
A few weeks back, a cherry tree in the village was filled with ripe cherries, but the person whose plot of land the tree was on was abroad. So, several people decided to reap the ripe fruits and create all kinds of different edible gifts to share with the owner and the wider community. Jams, pies, and liqueurs were made and jovially exchanged at happenstance meetings, dinner parties, and sold at local market stalls.
Similarly, in business, when employees within an organization are encouraged to share their knowledge and skills with one another, a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous learning emerges.
Imagine a scenario where a marketing executive provides coaching sessions to a junior colleague struggling with social media strategies, while in return, the junior colleague shares their expertise in graphic design to create visually captivating content for the executive’s presentations. As they collaborate and support each other’s growth, a sense of camaraderie develops, fueling motivation and a shared commitment to achieving organizational goals.
Furthermore, when individuals from different departments or teams come together to exchange their unique perspectives and skills, fresh ideas and creative solutions emerge. Through reciprocal exchanges, employees gain a broader understanding of the organization as a whole, breaking down silos and encouraging cross-functional collaboration. The act of bartering within an organization goes beyond the transactional nature of traditional work relationships. It fosters a sense of trust, interdependence, and a sense of belonging.
