A conversation about the future guided by nuance, empathy and transparency
The tension between growth and impact is a debate we have probably on a daily basis in some shape or form – and yesterday was no different. I attended a panel discussion hosted by Tuulee on the topic, and beyond the conversation itself, what stood out to me were the house rules that were laid out upfront:
This was to be a discussion guided by three core values: empathy, nuance and transparency.
Too often people try to oversimplify incredibly complex problems with arrogance and disregard the fact there is no single solution to the challenges we face today. Once we got that out of the way, the panelists leaned in to share their stories.
Here were some of the highlights?up for discussion, reflection and debate:?
+ As an impact-driven business, you can't behave like a charity.?If you're trying to solve a problem at a global scale, the business needs to be successful (and hence, grow) in order to maximize its potential impact. Companies need to find business models that are sustainable in all senses of the word.?
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+ By definition you can't decarbonize your business and be circular by yourself.?Collaboration is essential to changing the system, and there are a number of win, win, win opportunities for synergies across every value chain.
+ Solutions need to be co-developed and open sourced.?Big and small businesses should be coming together to influence transformation among their suppliers, developing and investing in innovations that can become accessible and be adopted across industries.?
+ Being dogmatic hinders progress and problem solving.?No company is perfect, but if more companies work on maximizing their positive impact while reducing their negative impact to manageable levels, we can continuously work towards transforming behaviors and infrastructures.?
+ Purpose needs to be embedded into the way your business is run.?Whether you are a startup or an established company, write down your values and set up processes to hold your teams accountable to them in your decision-making.?
Thanks to Anna ?hrling for making the space for this dialogue and to each of the panelist for sharing their unique perspectives and journey so far while attempting?to answer a question that, quite frankly, I'm not sure anyone actually has a definitive answer to yet.?
Freelance sustainable strategies expert & project manager
2 年I love this, it feels as if you took all of the daily unorganized doubts and thoughts, put them in the right order and gave them a name!
Co-chair B Lab Global, Trustee of Thirty Percy Foundation; Trustee of Global Action Plan (GAP)
2 年Thank you so much Maria Correa for sharing the key points from such a well framed debate - love the guiding principles especially of nuance empathy to answer these co- existential questions. Let’s keep the conversation going!
Creating films to help NGOs and social businesses reach, touch and move people.
2 年There is a book on the topic that might be interesting for you. "The economics of arrival". https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/the-economics-of-arrival
Researcher & PhD Candidate
2 年Thank you for sharing Maria Correa - super to the point, concrete and stimulating reflection on this difficult debate
Program and Community Specialist
2 年It is indeed important to start thinking that embedding ethics and sustainability principles in the growth strategy of a company brings long term positive results not only for the company itself but for the community it serves. Interdependency and co-development are 2 key components of this new mindset, as you highlighted! Thank Maria you for sharing your experience :) ?? Moh Al-Haifi Lee Fitzpatrick Zebra Growth Patrick Cumming Rae Legallienne Emma Hughes Margo Pinto