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How can we ensure our efforts to do good create value for others– and for ourselves?
My son comes home after volunteering at a soup kitchen. “So, how’d it go?” I ask.
“Good,” he answers. Nothing more.
My son’s 12, can you tell? Without context, all I know is that no soup ended up on the ceiling. I don’t know if the experience made a difference for society or his education.
37% of CEOs similarly fail to link social responsibility and business value. After organizing a paper plane throwing contest at work to “support social causes” I appreciate that perspective: the competition felt like it dropped into the office from outer space.
A leader should identify the value created by socially responsible actions. Perhaps you see the pragmatic value of increased sales. Or the poetic value of unique conversations that broaden perspective and spark insight. Or even the importance of a glue that holds together a resonant customer message and coherent employee culture.
The truth is, to create business value by doing good, you need to create an integrated system with a clear purpose– in which all tools work together to deliver recognized value.
When doing good, pause, observe, and take in the uniqueness of your situation. The insight may enhance the rest of your day.
Creating a coherent strategy in which social responsibility creates significant value requires commitment. That said, the rewards for such a strategy can enhance your life, your business value, and help you collaborate with those around you.
Is the world devolving into two types of businesses? Those with the coherent systems needed to create material value through doing good, and those comfortable in a potentially evil state in which they destroy social value?
Please share your thoughts in the comments or by sending me an email: info@RodWallacePhD.Com.
Our society cannot just survive. For the sake of our children, it must thrive.
Rod
Dr. Rod Wallace is an economist, consultant, and speaker who helps businesses make more money by solving society’s problems. A Fulbright Fellow, he has led multi-organization billion-dollar initiatives worldwide and partnered with a Silicon Valley pioneer to explore the impact of Artificial Intelligence on society.
Rod speaks about how to integrate social responsibility into business to maximize profit and purpose. He highlights digital technology’s impact on society and the strategies and tools with which business can solve our big, systemic problems.
Contact Rod at info@RodWallacePhD.com.