From being human-centric to embracing collaboration, here are six answers to the question, “Can you share your best lessons about leadership through a conscious capitalist lens?”
- Being Human-Centric Benefits Everyone
- Offer Compassion, Not Just a Product Or Service
- Maintain a Strong Sense of Purpose and Values
- Hire Employees Whose Core Values Align With Yours
- Listen to Your Employees
- Embrace Collaboration in All Aspects of Life
Being Human-Centric Benefits Everyone
Developing corporate procedures, interaction flows, and pricing models that factor humans first are still profitable. Doing so intentionally will help you develop companies, products, and services that are inclusive thanks to the diverse thoughts and talents you bring to the table. Resulting in company culture, a final product, and an overarching impact that is implicitly growing by negotiating its own equality as teams and offerings in a product space. This exceptional end state, like anything worth doing, isn’t easy. It’s an intentional choice when you start and as you continue. It’s a part of your north star goal for your company and yourself. So make the choice today and step towards the growth for yourself and everyone you affect tomorrow.
Lindsey MacNeil, Customer Experience Director, TD Synnex
Offer Compassion, Not Just a Product Or Service
I reached this point in my career, founding and leading a company that aims to meet the unique needs of women who live with a complex and chronic condition known as polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS. I have the condition and over time I realized how common my experiences were. I was trying diets, and seeing medical experts, and still, I was suffering—and becoming more and more frustrated. So that’s when I launched my company, which offers specialized and compassionate care for those suffering from PCOS.
My team embodies everything that I envisioned when I founded the company. I wanted people who listened—and provided support, as well as answers. Compassion is prioritized here. If that’s not conscious capitalism, then I don’t know what is.
Rachel Blank, Founder & CEO, Allara
Maintain a Strong Sense of Purpose and Values
I think one of the most important lessons I learned about leadership through my conscious capitalist lens is that it’s very important to have a strong sense of purpose and values in driving business decisions. When you combine those two things, you can create an environment where people are inspired to do their best work and, in turn, create value for others—including customers, employees, and shareholders. I think that’s what great leadership is all about. It’s not just about driving performance and results, but also doing it in a way that makes others feel valued.
Shaun Connell, Founder, Writing Tips Institute
Hire Employees Whose Core Values Align With Yours
When we look at hiring through a conscious capitalist lens, one of the most important aspects of efficiency is alignment, and that alignment starts with employees. When you have a team of employees who truly believe in the same things the company does, then the relationship is much more seamless and fruitful.The enthusiasm and motivation are genuine and this rubs off on the quality of work. So, one of the most critical things to keep in mind as a leader is to be cautious with the hiring process and only hire those who are aligned with your company’s core values.
Peter Monkhouse, Founder & Managing Director, ICL SA
Listen to Your Employees
As a company that fights air pollution through bio-engineered plants, being conscious is at the core of our business. One lesson I’ve learned about leadership is always to listen to your employees. Rather than require the world of them, listen and communicate with them. Cater benefits to fit their specific needs while having an open line of communication and you will have a very productive workforce.
Lionel Mora, CEO, Neoplants
Embrace Collaboration in All Aspects of Life
I believe that when leaders embrace collaboration; they become more effective and successful in their roles. Research shows how working together has supported this idea and encourages creativity, efficiency, and innovation—all essential components for any business endeavor
Collaboration also helps build trust among team members and between management and employees. Through open communication and mutual respect, everyone can be better heard and understood—leading to better solutions for common challenges or goals
When teams have strong relationships built on trust it creates an environment where everybody feels safe to express their ideas while respecting those of others around them—creating a culture of openness that breeds creativity rather than competition or fear-based decision-making processes such as top-down directives or siloed thinking.
Jamie Irwin, Director, Straight Up Search
