The world of business is changing, doing good is mainstream and some big names are championing the shift.
https://sway.office.com/O9j6pyRDfZmb1KIj?ref=Link
Change
Author: The Optimistic Cynic
Business and doing good
In leadership, we now frequently talk about purpose. It’s mainstream and it’s powerful.
Business can be a lever for doing good in our communities, and for making a better world.
If you haven’t come across the concept of B Corp Certification previously, I urge you to watch this video. You don’t have to go down the certification route, but Bart Houlahan really does impart how powerful a genuine strategic desire to do good can be
Pondering Upon Purpose
I found myself musing business ‘purpose’ this morning. Being awake at 3:oo am leads to some interesting (or is that confusing) thinking.
To borrow and ‘repurpose’ a phrase “you don’t choose a passion, a passion chooses you”.
So many good people are out there helping organisations to identify and/clarify their purpose. To help people realise why they do, what they do – why they get up in the morning and go to work.
Passion and purpose are generally seen as different but I wonder, are they the result of conscious decisions or something within your DNA? Perhaps it’s both?
With purpose being such a growing philosophy, I just wonder how many of us are deriving a purpose from what we are already doing as opposed to doing what delivers our purpose.
An optimist may have the view that we are arriving at our purpose, either consciously or sub-consciously, because of the passion and values within our DNA.
A cynic might think we are deriving a purpose simply as a business strategy, not as an outcome for our authentic passion.
The realist could say it’s probably both.
What do you think?
Never forget
Amidst the enthusiasm for our new journeys and passions, a very old saying is worth remembering…
“Your family would rather your presence than your presents”
Your loved ones, whatever form the relationship make take, are still a big part of who you are. Never forget that, even when you are striving for a magical purpose!
Authentically authentic!
Two years ago I posted my definition of authenticity.
Authentic is still one of the current buzz words and for me, once I see a word being used in discussions around mainstream marketing, I know it’s been well and truly kidnapped.
Authentic is a word we should be using and to help reclaim it, here are some further thoughts on what it means:
To be authentic, it is not enough to know your values, you must be your values.
You have to live your values, not just talk about them.
You have to be real and always show your true self.
Your actions must always be congruent with your beliefs and values – irrespective of what pressures you may be under.
Don’t try to live anyone else’s values, people will find out!
Happiness
Your happiness doesn’t come free, but you need to be free to be happy.
Nokwethemba Nkosi
Look Out!
Be the inspiration – become a leader to people outside of your organisation as well as leading your own team.
Be the dynamic external leader that seeks to truly change the world
