October Culturati Magazine

Politics, economics, public health . . . it’s been a long time since Americans have felt under such siege. And, we haven’t been this divided since at least the 1960’s, if not since the Civil War.

The Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision — built on its 1886 decision often interpreted as granting a corporation the same rights as an individual—accelerated a growing consensus on the responsibility for business to contribute to community wellness, employee happiness, and economic and environmental sustainability. We explore some of these ideas in this month’s issues of Culturati Magazine and Culturati: LIVE.

Last month I opened by noting that “Fatigue, anxiety, stress and burnout are prevailing feelings. How we and our managers coach our colleagues to impose some balance, reset expectations and encourage self care are conversations I’ve had with many leaders recently.”

And we continue to hear this as a major pain point. Executives and HR leaders are identifying the need for more soft management skills for middle managers who must actively listen, and build resiliency in addition to their challenging business objectives.

Culturati: LIVE is presenting a conversation with Aduro’s Darren White, HEB’s Mayerland Harris and Culturati Scholar, UT Prof. Ethan Burris on October 28 at noon CST — At the Breaking Point: How Do Managers Lead? More information and register here.

In a related article, my good friend and Aduro VP, Matthew Duncan notes the renewed attention to well-being and its importance to individual and company performance. He argues that only a holistic approach that addresses six aspects of well-being will ensure a resilient culture —

• Resilience and mindset
• Purpose and contribution
• Lifestyle and health
• Relationships and community
• Development and growth
• Money and prosperity

Speaking of articles and what we can’t live without . . . In last month’s HBR, Harvard Professor Michael Porter & business leader Katherine Gehl argue—in “Fixing America’s Politics” — that American businesses and their leaders can lead in repairing America’s political system through political innovation, including: 1) final-five voting, which would replace closed party primaries, 2) ranked-choice voting, and 3) zero-based rulemaking. I’ve been enamored of these ideas and business leaders’ roles for a long time. It’s encouraging to read one of America’s most respected management scholars promoting these ideas. I highly recommend the article and am looking forward to their book, The Politics Industry: How Political Innovation Can Break Partisan Gridlock and Save Our Democracy being published June 2021.

Recently released information on what businesses can do to improve civil discourse and to reduce polarization by The Dialogue Project. The project is supported by many companies including Google, Hewlett Packard, Southwest Airlines. Major findings: polarization & the challenge of having a respectful conversation with someone we disagree politically particularly acute in US and Americans agree but think it’s on the other person. The goal of the Dialogue Project is to educate and inspire business leaders to do more to solve the twin challenges of poor discourse and growing polarization. More on this and other opportunities for businesses as we further develop Culturati’s 2021 programming.

Only 26 days until the presidential election and we don’t know how many days to count all the ballots, plus probably even longer to litigate results across the country. I wish I would remember to talk about values and objectives with those who don’t share my politics, rather than so often devolving into arguments. I often find common ambitions and values, even when we disagree politically. If we can only agree on the day of the week, it’s a better start than only focusing on our differences. Here’s wishing our country well on Nov. 3rd and beyond.

Fondly,

Eugene Sepulveda

This article was originally published here in Culturati Magazine. Subscribe or read the Culturati Magazine for more culture content.

Eugene Sepulveda is the co-founder of Culturati? as well as the CEO of the Entrepreneurs Foundation, a director and partner in Capital Factory, serves as an Advisor to Notley Ventures and as Treasurer & a Sr. Advisor to Austin Mayor Steve Adler. Eugene’s long played at the intersection of business, politics, and community in Austin and nationally. He can be reached at [email protected]