Charles Robert Darwin (1809 -1882) shook the world, when in 1859 he published his famous book:

“On the origin of species”

The full title was:

“On the origin of species by means of natural selection or the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life”.

In his book Darwin explained the Theory of evolution

Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution transformed our understanding of the way the world works and, by extension, what you and I should do, in order to be selected for survival and prosperity.

Darwin's theory explains:

• How Nature works to drive progress towards greater perfection.
• How small improvements multiplied by time can create stunning variety and change.
• How a vast network of interconnected systems can arise by means of a simple mechanism.
• How you and I fit into THE BIG PICTURE.
• Why some people are targeted for termination.
• And why other people "get all the luck".

If you have ever wondered why some people are targeted for termination whilst other people "get all the luck" then Darwin's theory of evolution might offer helpful clues.
If you and I were to spend the next six minutes on this theory, we might derive some very useful advice on what to do to in order to "live long and prosper", and avoid being "targeted for termination".
Darwin says: "Science consists in grouping facts so that general laws or conclusions may be drawn from them."

Darwin says:

“Science consists in grouping facts so that general laws or conclusions may be drawn from them."

The five words are:

1. Evolution
2. Adaption
3. Variation
4. Change
5. Selection

Let’s look at each:

Evolution

"Evolution is nature’s method of progression by means of gradual improvements.

It is caused by the "natural selection" and flourishing of those organisms that prove themselves to be the best adapted to succeed in the prevailing environment.

The same rule may be stated negatively;

“Evolution is nature’s method of progression by means of gradual improvements.

It is caused by the "natural selection" and ELIMINATION of those organisms that been exposed as the LEAST ADAPTABLE in the prevailing environment.

The implied advice is:

1. Accept that law of evolution can work for you or against you.
2. You can work with the law of evolution and reap the benefits, or
3. You can try to fight the law and be selected for extinction.

Adaption is the ability of an organism to profit from the environmental changes.

Adaption implies two distinct skills:

1. Learning new methods.
2. Stop doing the old inefficient methods.

Both of these are difficult because;

1. We don’t like learning new ways.
2. We want to keep using our old familiar methods even though we know they do not work!

Darwin noted:

“An American monkey, after getting drunk on brandy, would never touch it again, and thus is much wiser than most of the gentlemen with whom I am acquainted. “

Variation is the degree of difference between individual members of a group.

Charles Darwin recognised that within each species there is always variation.

In any group there were variations; random anomalies in size, shape, skills, action, and inaction.

It is upon this variability that nature acts to select those who have developed themselves to a sufficient degree to warrant a reward, and who has neglected to do so.

For example:

• Paul is motivated; Peter is lazy.
• Paul is honest; Peter is dishonest.
• Paul shows personal initiative; Peter waits to be told.
• Paul will go the extra mile; Peter will sulk if he asked to get out of bed.

Two good questions to ask

1. Is it Paul or Peter that “Selective Evolution” has targeted for termination?
2. Are you more like Paul or more like Peter?

The advice is:

• Develop your ability and ensure you are selected for survival and prosperity.

Darwin says:

In the long history of humankind, those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed.

The environment is never static; it changes.

You may have noticed that:

• Opportunities come and then go.
• Markets soar and then crash.
• House prises rise and then fall.
• Eternal change is the only constant.

Therefore, staying the same will eventually result in obsolesce and then extinction.

So, be ready to notice the climate change and be ready to make any personal changes necessary to stay ahead of the game.

Repeating your winning formula is NOT always the best idea.

Because the situation is always changing, what worked last year may not work this year: in fact, it probably will not.

Implied advice:

• Keep changing.
• Keep learning.
• Don’t get stuck in a rut.

Charles Darwin says:

It is not the strongest of the species that survives, or the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.

Selection is the means by which the environment acts to either:

• Target you for termination because you do are not sufficiently adapted (or willing to adapt) to the latest change.
• Or: Shower you with all the gifts of nature’s bounty, in recompense for your willingness to adapt yourself to nature’s laws.

Charles Darwin said: “This principle, by which each slight variation, if useful, is preserved, is called Natural Selection"

The advice is: Work to make your team pre-eminently; “fit for purpose”.

Charles Darwin said “The highest possible stage in the evolution of moral culture is when we recognize that we ought to control our thoughts. 

• Raise yourself up by your own initiative and earn the right to prosperity.
• Ask more of yourself than anyone else would have a right to expect.

Charles Darwin (1809 -1882) shook the world, when ihe published his famous book

“On the origin of species”

Darwin’s theory explains how:

• How nature works
• How you fit into THE BIG PICTURE
• Why some people are targeted for termination
• And why other people “get all the luck"

There are five key words that Darwin’s theory suggests are important. They are:

Evolution

Accept that evolution can work for you or against you.

Variation

Develop your ability and ensure you are selected for prosperity.

Change

Don’t get stuck in a rut.

Selection

Work to make yourself “fit for purpose”.

Adaption

Keep learning new methods

Charles Darwin said. “The expression the Survival of the Fittest is most accurate,”

Chris Farmer is the leader of The Corporate Coach Group, who provide UK management training courses, and a publichsed author in Business Coaching. His training courses through the Corporate Coach Group have helped hundreds of managers become immediatly more effective.