Every defining moment in our life, where we feel we break new ground, is often a culmination of the lessons, the beauty, the hardships we’ve overcome leading up to it.
For me, that’s the essence of Ethos.
In it’s simplest definition Ethos means ‘moral character’.
Or ‘the characteristic spirit of a culture, era, community or individual through its aspirations and attitudes.’
Ethos is also the name of a new endeavor for me.
Ever since I started writing I had an interest in guiding people home, to themselves.
In an age of AI language, dead tropes and borrowed takes, I want people to find their voice and express what makes them unique. To stand out for the distinct value and identity they bring.
So much of what we created with Voices Unleashed in the past 5 years is about this — in a creative expression sense.
With Ethos, I now made a programme to turn that lens to business.
Specifically, for solo founders, creatives, consultants, coaches - anyone who is of service to a better world and who created an offering from their unique set of values and vision.
Right now it’s January 7th, 20:29, and so far 10 people signed up.
I feel honoured people entrust me with their energy, time, and resources.
And they can be sure I give my all to land the plane.
In a few hours the Early Wave deal on Ethos ends.
I created that deal on the one hand to test the programme, on the other to offer more support to each participant and make sure they walk away exactly with what they need.
Over the course of 3 days we’ll work on:
- The Author (the individual)
- The Artifact (the work they do)
- The Audience (who they aim to serve)
And ultimately find their uncopyable edge, that what makes them stand out in their field.
Back to ‘The spirit of a culture, era, community, or individual’.
There’s a layered reason I named this programme Ethos because I believe we are on the cusp of a new age. One that’s causing another rupture in the fabric of society.
One side fully embracing AI, the advancement of technology, the by-all-means-justified progress.
On the other the longing and the return to authenticity, the humanities, rituals and rites, the care for our Earth.
I know it’s not that black and white in practice. I’ve got dear friends in the AI space building solutions for the betterment of people and planet. But in general, the heavy reliance on technology and the outsourcing of so many of our human qualities, does worry me.
And it’s like I said in a recent interview with Robert Ian Bonnick (1:29:00):
“It’s like Prometheus, defying Zeus by giving fire to the humans. The gods envied us because we are mortal. And it’s that quality, of having a finite life that allows us to create something no machine or infinite source can replicate. Simply because it doesn’t carry the weight, the gravitas, of creating when our actions are limited.”
I believe this strange era asks of us, to discern where technology supports us, and where it dilutes our essence.
So that in the end we can fully stand behind our own Ethos.
For the love of being unmistakably human,
Roel W.T. Cruys
