In this article, CNN.com - The meaning of life (and business) - Sep 13, 2006 Peter Walker introduced readers to Dr. Srikumar S. Rao, who teaches an unconventional course called "Creativity and Personal Mastery" in two prestigious MBA programs. The course, that has been described by students as life-changing, is the only that I know of with its own alumni group.

Yesterday, I had the privilege of hearing Dr. Rao speak on a conference call sponsored by Leading News . His approach is one to which I could relate. I would call it purple, as in remarkable because, as the CNN article mentioned, most MBA students (with some exceptions) have not examined the fundamental questions that they are forced to confront in completing Dr. Rao's class. (Odeo has an interview with Dr. Rao conducted by Todd of 800CEOReads on the same theme in downloadable MP3 format. )

Years ago, Insight's then-CEO Eric Crown was quoted in the Phoenix Business Journal advising people to do what they love, saying that they should wake up in the morning excited at the prospect of the work they would be doing that day, or they should find other work. Dr. Rao's message reminded me of Eric's quote. We carry messages and mental images of expectations that tell us what we should do, but are not necessarily what we are called to do. To achieve real success, it is necessary to align what we choose to do with what we are called to do, our passions.

It's only when we realize that things are what they are and that we are the ones who choose where we will spend our energy and attention that we can discover what is truly important and what just seems to be. When we act in ways that are consistent with a desire to make the world a little better in some way, rather than as a means to exchange for something we want, we will begin to experience a kind of karma that leads to success. Success achieved this way is authentic, because it is based on our values rather than on artificial "mental models" that can guide those who believe those models are reality.