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This is the tenth in a series of articles about Flow. In each of the articles I look more closely at Flow, each of the individual characteristics, and how we can use Flow in our leadership practice.
In the first article of the series, I talked about the idea of Flow as described by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi 
What sets Flow experiences apart from other activities is that the experience is expansive; we grow in some way as an individual because of our participation.
This characteristic is really the determining factor of whether or not we’ve been experiencing Flow. Each of the other characteristics must be present as well, but there are times and activities where the previous characteristics that I’ve described are present, but the activity failed to be a growth opportunity.
Not a Flow Experience
For instance, if I go shopping at the supermarket, my goals are clear (I have a food list of what I need to buy) and the feedback is immediate (I’m able to cross items off the list that are in my basket). But unless I’m shopping in a new store that sells exotic foods I’ve never heard of before, this shopping activity is routine and not expansive.
Likewise, I may not be a professional car detailer, but if I’m washing my car and my skills at car washing match those needed to get it clean I will have a feeling of contentment (as opposed to frustration). I could work so hard at it that I concentrate completely on cleaning the car, blocking everything else out around me. I may even experience as sense of altered time. But again, the activity is routine and not expansive.
Backwards Activities
Many of the characteristics of Flow also show up in activities that are, shall we say, less than expansive. Flow generating activities share similar experiences with activities like drinking alcohol or taking drugs, gambling and watching TV. These types of activities can actually have the opposite effect of Flow, a sort of backwards effect. When we focus on the present moment while experiencing Flow we are able to get a break from our worries and troubles, much like we can from having a couple of drinks.
Gambling can have the same results. I was at a conference in Las Vegas last year and noticed many folks that were spending hours upon hours sitting in front of the same slot machine. I’m sure they were experiencing some of the characteristics of Flow, but they certainly weren’t growing as part of the experience. Watching television can have the same impact.
Flow Leads to Growth
Certainly these activities are enjoyable, which is one of the main reasons that we want to experience Flow. What makes Flow different is that the experience makes us more than we were previously. Csikszentmihalyi’s research has shown that when we experience Flow it dramatic increases our self-esteem and the more we are able to experience Flow the higher our self-esteem is overall.
When we participate in activities where the other eight characteristics are present and we learn new skills, gain new knowledge, or help someone else to become better, we are happier and more satisfied. We are experiencing Flow.
Leader’s Reflection: When we are able to experience Flow on a regular basis we are able to live a happy and satisfying life. When we are able to experience Flow in our everyday work we find the work more satisfying. The defining characteristic of Flow is that the activity must be something that is expansive; something that allows us to grow in some way as an individual.
