The Quiet Revolution in Business

The media has done an incredible job of painting a negative view of business based upon the unethical actions of a small percentage of companies and executives. At the same time, I am witnessing a diverse and growing, positive revolution that is quietly taking place behind the scenes. The seeds of this revolution were laid out in a book entitled, “Global Mind Change” by Willis Harman written back in the mid 1980s. It is a natural progression that fosters empowerment, freedom, self actualization and yes even enhanced productivity and profitability.

As an example, For the last several months, I have been part of a project to interview leaders about their visions for a better world. The project is called Business as an Agent of World Benefit. Thousands of interviews have been conducted with very interesting results. I am certain we will all hear more about this in the days to come.

Case Western Reserve University is sponsoring a program in October entitled, “Building a Better World is the Next Business Frontier.” The World Business Academy is promoting the triple bottom line: people, profits and planet. A popular business book that I would recommend is “Jesus, CEO” by Laurie Beth Jones. The Chaordic Commons is devoted to helping People around the world pioneering new ways to organize that liberate the human spirit, advance deeply shared purposes, foster the common good, and nourish all life. The Appreciative Inquiry Commons is a place where positive change research and organizational leadership connect for world benefit. These are all unique endeavors, but they are all pointing in a similar direction. It is exciting and it is international in scope. Occasionally we get a small glimpse of this movement in a small business article, but I don’t think it will be long before it becomes widely recognized as the Chaordic Revolution.