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How do you build a lust in your organization for social responsibility that will create meaningful profit?
Passion comes from the heart. So, recognize the ability to train yourself to love, and you can create the energy in your organization that you need.
My family began an experiment designed by #JoshuaSpodek to build such love this morning.
I asked my three sons, “Will you each commit to throwing one piece of trash from the ground into a can every day for the next six months?”
My four-year old, Reuben, giggled, “Yes.” The five-year old, Rayden, cocked his head and nodded. And my oldest, Devin, asked me to explain.
I responded, “It’s to change the world. Ourselves. And we’re following what my Mom, Nana, used to do. I started yesterday, and I felt Mom’s presence. As I threw the first piece of trash in the can, my mind filled with blurred images of Nana smiling at me and encouraging me to teach you kids.”
My family strives to build a bond that enhances the happiness we get with each other and from doing good. I don’t know what the rest of our experiment will bring, but today was laughter and smiles.
My family experiment relates to a serious business challenge: engaging employees. Many companies look to Corporate Social Responsibility to connect. Last night, I reviewed a Fortune 200 finance company’s social responsibility report filled with wonderful activities designed to attract:
- Evaluate potential investments basis responsibility ✓
- Reimburse employees for learning ✓
- Employee giving program for local community ✓
- Hire Chief Diversity Officer ✓
The plan also targets carbon neutrality, improved governance, and a donation to the Gay Men’s Health Crisis.
Despite all the good deeds described, however, that report could have been written on an ice cube. There is no passion. And without heat, this company will change nothing about the world, employees will not care about working there, and many customers will be turned off.
Passion begins with senior leadership AND bottom-up energy. Help employees find love for themselves through their actions, and then they can deliver on your desires. #JoshuaSpodek (podcast: Leadership and the Environment) helps people find personal meaning in environmental stewardship. Joshua’s key insight is a straightforward tool you can use to help colleagues find meaning in environmental responsibility:
- Ask, “Is the environment something that matters to you?” (Everyone answers yes.)
- Consider, “What does the environment mean to you?” (The meaningful answer is personal, emotion-driven, and often relates to a past experience such as swimming with dolphins.)
- Invite, “Commit to doing something that helps heal the environment. It must be small, YOURSELF (not convincing others or writing), and measurable (e.g., one piece of trash.)”
- Support, “Write down what you promised to do and until when you will do it. Set an alarm to check in and discuss the experience.” (The goal should be SMART.)
You can recognize the core elements of Joshua’s approach: create brain connections that link the concept of environment to a high-impact memory and physical action. Then repeat the action to strengthen the mental connections.
Joshua reports that virtually everyone that does this exercise finds it joyful. I’ll let you know my experience when I report back to Joshua in a few weeks.
Position yourself for meaningful profit with an insightful social responsibility strategy. Lead your organization to deliver that value by connecting employee hearts to the good you will do. Even in this age of digital love, true passion only thrives in connections with each other and nature.
Take five minutes to try Joshua Spodek’s exercise on yourself. Or, even better, try it with a colleague. Tell me your goals and I’ll provide a check-in to support.
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.