We are entering an unprecedented period where the roles of organisations are being questioned and new forms of individual and organisational purpose, and responsible ambition, are emerging.
There is a growing awareness within society, that the rules that have governed development and growth over the last 50 years must change, and must change urgently. Although we have witnessed significant advances in life expectancy, education and poverty alleviation, much of this progress has been accompanied by an unprecedented deterioration in planetary health and human well-being.
Corporate philanthropy and corporate social responsibility programmes although all well intentioned and responsible for creating positive impact, can sometimes be transactional and narrow. Some could be seen as almost legitimising the more significant negative social and environmental impacts organisations have.
The leaders of these organisations, as well as employees, customers and society in general, are becoming increasingly aware that there is a need to create a new form of sustainable, responsible and purposeful organisation. And that these new forms of organisation need to be created now, not at some distant point in the future. The challenges we face are immediate.
Organisations need to start transitioning from the prevailing business model of hierarchical management, static strategy and linear change programmes, to a more conscious, emergent, holistic, systemic and collaborative approach to growth.
New forms of purposeful, socially aware organisations are already demonstrating that success can be measured outside of the confines of purely monetary value. Growing human potential, purpose and meaning are being rediscovered as more fitting ways to drive business success.
By creating the right conditions for individuals and organisations to explore and uncover their values and beliefs, by paying attention to limiting worldviews and developing self-awareness and collective consciousness, we can start to experience new forms of purposeful and responsible organisations emerge from within themselves.
How we as individuals and as organisations responded to the realisation that we all needed to step up and take responsibility to create a world that is fit for future generations will be our legacy.