Lexicon: Radical Freedom

The Etymology

"Radical" comes from the Latin Radix ("Root"). Sartre isn't talking about "political" radicalism. He means freedom that exists at the root of human existence. It is inescapable.

The Definition

Sartre famously declared: "Man is condemned to be free."

• Condemned: Because we did not create ourselves. We were thrown into the world.
• Free: Because once we are here, we are responsible for everything we do.

There is no "Human Nature" that guides us. There is no "God" to give us a script. At every moment, there is a Nothingness separating our Past from our Present.

• The fact that I was brave yesterday does not cause me to be brave today. I have to re-invent my bravery right now.
• The fact that I was a smoker for 20 years does not force me to smoke the next cigarette. I have to choose to be a smoker again.

The Corporate Application

Zero-Based Budgeting for the Soul: In finance, "Zero-Based Budgeting" means you don't carry over last year's budget; you must justify every dollar from scratch. Radical Freedom is Zero-Based Budgeting for your identity.

• You are not a "CEO" because of a contract signed in 2022. You are a CEO only if you lead today.
• You are not "Creative" because you won an award in 2024. You are creative only if you create now.

The Liberating Terror: This is terrifying because you have no "Tenure" in existence. You can lose it all in a moment. But it is liberating because you are not trapped by your failures.

• The failing project? It has no momentum unless you give it momentum.
• The toxic culture? It only exists because everyone chooses to re-enact it this morning. You are re-hired by reality every single morning. Act like it.