There’s a galvanizing force afoot that’s quietly but profoundly redefining the way we engage in commerce. One that not only nurtures our families, homes, and communities but, even more importantly, the world at large. A force that allows us to live a delicious and beautiful life!
Simply put, it’s not just about chasing profits. Conscious business is about choosing purpose! It’s about the art of leading from the heart, integrating passion and vision, while acutely aware of the ripple effect a business has on the entirety of its dealings: not only its people and their families but also the planet and beyond—including all sentient beings—and yes even its profits are taken into account.
Conscious business principles invite us to look deeply to the wisdom within while embracing and shaping our external reality, with the knowledge that we are merely one small cell in a mosaic of the whole. When we begin to recognize that each and every one of us is part of a much larger reality—a superorganism, if you will—we see that we are intimately connected to all of life. And when we celebrate this interconnectedness, everything else falls into place. Our homes, communities, and the world are nurtured, allowing all of life to flourish.
Happy People
What is the lifeblood of any business? Look no further than its people! In conscious businesses, employees are not just cogs in the wheel; they’re valued and cherished members of a thriving community. Through genuine care for personal and professional development, as well as health and wellbeing, conscious businesses create an environment of respect, trust, and creativity, where people can blossom as they connect to their highest selves, and entrepreneurial ideas are effortlessly born at all hierarchical levels. When people are happy and are consistently supported in self-actualization, opportunities, productivity and commitment soar—the direct result of which is a more harmonious work environment—as joy is replaced by churn. It’s a win-win for all.
Purpose is Palpable
When we fuse passion and purpose, an energetic impulse is catalyzed that internally drives and motivates, and this untapped potential ultimately becomes the cornerstone of any conscious business. Purpose goes beyond making profits or the confines of job descriptions; it’s about contributing to and cultivating the well-being of the human spirit, society, and everything that constitutes our environment. When a company’s purpose aligns with the values of its employees and customers while steeped in the context of healthy planetary existence, it transcends the banality of ordinary, transactional processes that we typically equate with business of the past. It becomes a movement. The movements are magnetic and self-propelling, attracting not only dedicated and inspired employees but also fiercely loyal and supportive customers.
Presence is a Priority
Feeling distracted, lost, and overwhelmed in the hustle of today’s business world is a common theme as shareholder demands and quarterly goals become an all-consuming undertaking, but we, fortunately, have access to a potent and remarkably simple antidote: Presence of the idea of “being” as we softly meet the present moment with awareness and clarity.
This offers us the opportunity to consciously live from the inside out, and as we draw into a space of alert perception, we can surrender to our inner landscape, allowing it to inform our outer expression. With remarkable ease, we become more attuned to our own needs, as well as the needs of our colleagues and clients, the byproduct of which creates a culture of mindfulness, discernment, and compassion. In such an environment, pivotal decisions are made thoughtfully and effectively, optimizing successful outcomes that benefit all.
Planet is Primary
Conscious businesses understand that they are part of a much larger ecosystem, namely Mother Earth and the 8 billion people residing on the planet. Recognizing that we all have a role to play, however small or large, as part of the whole—as part of this incredible superorganism of connection—is instrumental. What we do to the outside world, we do to ourselves. Every decision we make must take into account our homes, communities, and world, and in so doing, we are compelled to lead and create a magnificent framework of holistic work and living.
Gone are the days when eco-friendliness was a marketing gimmick; now, it’s truly a necessity. Not only is it vital for the planet, but it’s also good for business. As such, embracing eco-conscious practices isn’t just about doing the right thing; it’s also an insightful and intelligent business move.
Profitability Still Matters
Last but not least, let’s not forget about profit. Conscious leadership doesn’t mean forgoing money or abundance; rather, it’s about achieving profitability in a sustainable and ethical manner, with a knowing that long-term success is more imperative than short-term gains. There is an unwavering commitment to a model where everyone—the business, its people, and the planet—can prosper. On a pragmatic note, an insolvent business can’t expand its reach or impact, regardless of how noble its vision might be, so a certain level of profitability is as fundamental as it is essential to maximize its realization of achievement.
And let’s remember the ripple effect. One conscious business can inspire suppliers, competitors, and even entire industries to transform existing business practices. Think of it like a contagion of goodness gaining momentum. Profitable businesses become a fruitful, conscious society impacting everything.
The Path Ahead
The most powerful institution on this planet is business, impacting even the furthest reaches of
the globe. It is what feeds, protects, warms, supplies, dresses, nurtures, and entertains us. And so it is without a doubt that business must play an instrumental part in meaningful and transformative change that elevates conscious and holistic living as the most productive and sustainable way of inhabiting the earth.
Furthermore, the idea of conscious business isn’t just a utopian dream; it’s becoming a practical roadmap for the future of local and global commerce. In a few short years, we will be looking at a world where conscious living and conscious business aren’t the exception but the rule. By choosing how to spend or invest our money, by deciding where we want to work, and by encouraging change within our own spheres of influence, we’re all contributing to this seismic shift. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, a small business, or a consumer, we can step into a spirit of self-empowerment, dramatically changing our reality for our families, communities, and world.
Business is pervasive. Let us lead consciously from the heart and create a radical, new shift in perspective, leaving behind a legacy that touches all and fosters possibilities that once were only dreamed of. Conscious business is changing humanity’s future, and we’re all invited to partake!
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Interested in learning more? We invite you to visit Humanity’s Team or read our Conscious Business Declaration.
The Conscious Business Declaration
A collaboration of the Conscious Business Alliance
As a global community of business leaders, we are committed to developing the awareness and skills needed to consciously evolve our organizations in alignment with these principles:
- We Are One with humanity and all of life. Business and all institutions of the human community are integral parts of a single reality — interrelated, interconnected, and interdependent.
- In line with this reality, the purpose of Business is to increase economic prosperity while contributing to a healthy environment and improving human well-being.
- Businesses must go beyond sustainability and the philosophy of “do no harm” to restore the self-renewing integrity of the Earth.
- Businesses must operate with economic, social, and ecological transparency.
- Business must behave as a positive and proactive member of the local and global communities in which it operates.
- A business that sees, honors, and celebrates the essential interconnected nature of all human beings and all life maximizes human potential and helps create a world that works for all.
- When aligned with Oneness, Business is the most powerful engine on Earth for creating prosperity and flourishing for all.
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From the pinnacle of Silicon Valley success as co-founder of two high-tech firms, Steve Farrell pivoted to lead Humanity’s Team, a global nonprofit helping people everywhere awaken to our interconnectedness. He details his journey from the American Dream to conscious leadership in his new book, A New Universal Dream. Steve and Humanity’s Team offer educational programs in business, science, spirituality, creativity, relationships, healing, and conscious living through multiple platforms, including their Humanity Stream+ streaming service.
