Tolerance, in its various forms, is like the unseen engineer of our world. 

It ensures that things fit, function, and flourish within their given parameters. As we navigate the intricate web of our existence, we encounter many different dimensions of tolerance, natural and man-made.

Engineering and Manufacturing 

In the world of engineering and manufacturing, tolerance takes on a precise and standardised form. It ensures that components fit together seamlessly, enabling the construction of complex structures and the mass production of goods. 

Without it, chaos would reign in the assembly line, bridges might fail, or at the very least be difficult to construct in the first place.

However, as we ponder these tangible forms of tolerance, it's crucial to recognize that there are others. Biology, including humans has its limits.

Nature's Limits

In the realm of biology, tolerance is a fundamental concept. It dictates that species can only thrive within specific environmental conditions. 

A subtle shift in temperature, acidity, or habitat can lead to extinctions. The balance of life on Earth relies on this delicate interplay of tolerance and adaptation.

Tolerance - Glue of Civilization

The fabric of our society is woven with threads of human tolerance. It's the ability to respect and coexist with those who may look, think, or believe differently than we do. 

Yet some elements of what we call civilisation leave little or no room for a generosity in interpretation or behaviour. The creation and application of money and law are examples.

Without tolerance between individuals, cultures, and organizations, our journey through the transition becomes fraught. The very fabric of our global community becomes increasingly threatened. 

The form of tolerance required isn't a passive nod to diversity; it's an active commitment to understanding and unity.

But an inability to accept differences could be the stumbling block on the path to a more sustainable and harmonious world.

Baking Tolerance In

In our pursuit of a more sustainable future, we must recognize that tolerance between people and organizations cannot be a mere add-on, a "nice to have" feature. 

Instead, it must be at the very core of our designs—of our strategies, systems, policies, projects - life in general. Just like the physical world, our relational world needs to accommodate the reality that we all have differing perspectives and interests. And that no one is perfect.

Imagine a world where tolerance is not just an aspiration but an integral part of our societal DNA. Where dialogues replace disputes, empathy supersedes indifference, and unity triumphs over division. In such a world, the transition becomes not only possible but profoundly more desirable and achievable.

The Path Forward

As we navigate the turbulent waters of this great transition, we must understand that our survival depends on tolerance—tolerance for the diversity of life, the complexities of our world, and the perspectives of our fellow humans.

Let's strive to be engineers of tolerance, ensuring that we insist on designs, cultures and structures that embody tolerance. And let's behave this way by default.

It's through these elements that we can construct a world where the great transition is not a daunting challenge but a shared journey toward a brighter future—a future built on the sturdy pillars of tolerance.

Things need to fit, function, and flourish. 

Check out our Real Transition Leadership programme. Testimonials at Real Transition Leaders | Transition-HQ (thq.nz).

This weeks quote

"In the practice of tolerance, one's enemy is the best teacher.” 

                                                   - Dalai Lama