3 R for 3 P's

I was fortunate to hear Prof. Henry Mintzberg deliver the valedictory address for the INDAM 2022 conference that was themed around the triple bottom line i.e. people, planets and profits. The erudite professor not only eloquently summed up the problem, but, as expected of a genius, also provided a solution that is comprehensive, simple and actionable. The solution is what I would label as the 3 R's: Respected government; robust corporations and responsible communities.

The professor first elucidated his theory that society can be reduced to three primary actors: government, corporations and communities. In a pithy few sentences, the learned professor scanned the socio-economic scenario of the world and identified the problems plaguing multiple countries. He then described how the problems in all countries are arising either from overbearing governments or greedy corporations or both. A deeper malaise that allows governments to be overbearing and corporates to be excessively greedy is the absence of robust communities. He identified community as the bedrock sustaining both government and corporations and suggested that community-led action is the only way to bring balance in the environment and society. People need to come together in innovative ways to force governments and corporations to conserve the Planet and secure well-being for all rather than blindly pursue Profits.

The speaker identified incidents from history to show how plural organizations have been the harbinger of change. Plural organizations refer to non-governmental associations that are not owned by a single individual or a group of individuals but rather exist as networks of people tied by a common idea and a common feeling. Through the examples of Dandi March and Luther's 95 theses, he showed how plural organizations have changed the world.

The speech was one of the most thought-provoking ones that I have ever heard and hence I thought of sharing it with the world. As Prof. Mintzberg mentioned, the social media of the times plays an important role in enabling plural organizations to change the world. He has also formulated a document to elucidate a guiding vision for global reformation (https://mintzberg.org/blog/the-declaration-of-our-interdependence ).

PS: I have reconstructed Prof. Mintzberg's thoughts from memory and hence any error is solely mine.