The elements of nature.
As human beings, we have always been interconnected with nature and the great outdoors.
And, if I recall correctly from my high school classes, the ancient Greeks around 450 BC believed that everything in the world was made up of four elements in nature: earth, water, air and fire.
They were later referred to as the so-called classical elements or the four element theory of matter.
Later the Greek philosopher Aristotle supported this theory and added aether as a further element to explain the space in the universe beyond Earth.
“Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better”.
Albert Einstein
It’s amazing how the understanding of these elements and nature became the foundation for science, philosophy and medicine for thousands of years to explain the very diverse world.
And now, especially post-COVID-19, everyone speaks about the positive impacts of nature to our lives. We have experienced it ourselves during lockdowns what the soothing energy of being in nature can do.
Research shows the impacts and benefits of spending time in nature.
In organisations and our workspaces we see an increased focus on employee well-being and we look more and more to nature to learn how we can build sustainable human high performance and well-being, which is not only healthy for us as people, but also grows a better world.
Interesting and thoughtful terms like regenerative leadership, nature-based coaching and nature immersions have evolved over the years to positively impact the ways we work in organisations.
Saltbox Director Nicki Davey, who is a TetraMap Master Facilitator and part of the global facilitator community, I have recently joined, explains in this inspiring recent video below how we are all interconnected with nature and how it impacts us1.
What TetraMap is and how it can help you.
TetraMap® brings the four elemental metaphors of nature, Earth, Air, Water and Fire into a simple experiential learning model for personal and organisational development. It is a proven worldwide framework to explain human behaviour, making it easier for you to build relationships and understand yourself, your colleagues, your organisation and wider systems you are part of2.
TetraMap is inspired by the diversity and interdependence of nature and was developed around 23 years ago in New Zealand by Yoshimi and Jon Brett. Today there are more than 2.000 Certified TetraMap Facilitators globally.
The TetraMap learning model uses a short profiling instrument, which encourages self-exploration into your unique preferences as a human being. If we look systemically at it that helps create self-awareness of how your unique preferences contribute to the systems you are part of and interconnected to.
Just like structures in nature.
The TetraMap model brings three-dimensional and visual metaphors of nature that are easy to remember and very intuitive to understand and use even across diverse cultures. That makes it easy to relate to.
So, TetraMap is designed to grow and unfold everyone’s full potential and enhance collaboration.
It is a really powerful tool for increasing performance through developing stronger teamwork, building cohesive teams based on trust-building and much more effective communication for individuals, teams and organisations.
Below you can watch a short video introducing TetraMap.
I am really happy that I can now call myself a Certified TetraMap Facilitator and I am excited to have recently joined the global TetraMap family (community) of facilitators.
Next, I look so much forward to be able to introduce TetraMap to people and teams where ever I go 🙂
Now, let me hear your thoughts. What have you learned from nature that makes your life / work better?
/Christian
TetraMap® is a registered trademark of TetraMap International in New Zealand and other countries.
If you are curious to know more and experience TetraMap for yourself or as part of our Leadership Coaching, Team Coaching or Transition Coaching, please feel free to contact me.
References.
[1]Nicki Davey (2023) Nature at Work. Available at: Nature at Work (Salt-box.co.uk). (Accessed 11 August 2022).
[2]TetraMap (2023) Discovery learning that is seriously playful. Available at: TetraMap (Tetramap.com). (Accessed 1 March 2023).
Transformative Coaching & Experiential Learning by Nature:
Better Life. Leader. Team. Your thinking partner as a Coach.
ICF and EMCC Member, Vice President of the Board for EMCC Denmark.