I suspect that, alongside others interested in Conscious Capitalism, I’ve been so busy watching the activities of Occupy Wall Street with its uprising of young liberals against the hardened moguls of Wall Street, that I’ve completely forgotten about our new generation of conscious leaders coming through. And then, hallelujah! – through my Google alerts arrives a link to a catalogue for Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado, Boulder, advertising a university programme for Socially Conscious Business Leaders. And what hits me right between the eyes is how young the people on the front page look. I feel positively ancient in comparison. And what hits me a moment later is – these leaders are our future! I’ve been guilty of wracking my brains on how to shift the mindsets and consciousness of existing, powerful leaders and, sure, that’s very important because we need change now not at some distant point in the future, but let’s not forget the hoards of business graduates coming through the ranks who are potential conscious leaders in the making. Conscious leadership is as much about the making of new leaders as it is about transforming existing ones.
I see that John Mackey, Raj Sisodia and others from the Conscious Capitalism Institute regularly talk to graduates in business schools – and I believe we can take this so much wider. Wouldn’t it be great if business schools in every university across the globe included Conscious Capitalism in their curriculum? If it were seen not as some quaint ‘alternative’ to traditional economic theory, but as the real, preferred future for business practice?
Some of modules that the graduates at the Leeds School of Business receive are: Exercises in Moral Courage (yes!); Learning through Service (awesome); and Sustainable Operations (oh yes). This is exactly the kind of education that the new generation of leaders needs – and more. Conscious Leadership is still in its infancy. We need all the development and thought leadership we can get if it is to take root in the mainstream of business graduates entering the world of capitalism and forming our future.
Leeds School of Business also hosts the Conscious Capitalism conference. Come to think of it, I’ve begun to notice that Boulder, Colorado seems to be a hotspot for conscious business thought leadership. Boulder appears regularly in Google alerts in relation to Conscious Capitalism activity. Even Sounds True, the publishers of choice for conscious capitalists like John Mackey, Patricia Aburdene and Fred Kofman is based there.
Another promising, related link arrived via the Corporate Social Responsibility Newswire. This one was entitled ‘The launch of Conscious Box’. Conscious Box is a monthly subscription service of eco-friendly, fair trade, organic goods. Fair enough. But what caught my eye was this: “The creators, Jameson Morris, 23, Jesse Richardson, 21, and Bjorn Borstelmann, 23, seek to connect subscribers with both small and large purpose-driven businesses working to make a difference on environmental and social levels. ‘At Conscious Box, we aim to help people discover businesses and people that are working hard to make a difference in the world…With each purchase we make as consumers, we reflect our core values. Here at Conscious Box, we’d like to see those values align with authenticity, not greenwashing or unsustainable business practices,” said the team. “It can be hard to find that business with the highest quality products and ethics – we hope Conscious Box can make it easier.'”
21, 23 and 23, huh? Suddenly I feel uplifted. If these are the kinds of leaders and entrepreneurs coming through the ranks of the next generation, I think we’re in for a promising future.
I might even move to Boulder.
Gina, Thank YOU so much for your awesome work and blog posts… Runa and I are so looking forward to connecting and collaborating. We are in total alignment with your awareness of how important it is for us to be supporting both experienced and seasoned business leaders as well as our younger generation of business leaders. Please let us know how we can support YOU! Sincerely, Mark
Mark, I am always so warmed by your and Runa’s alliance and support of me and of this work that we share. Thank you deeply for this. I am anticipating a great journey together. The community of people with their hearts in Conscious Leadership is growing and I feel us coming together like a new constellation across the world. This is very exciting stuff!
With respect and good wishes,
Gina
Hi Gina, what an uplifting post – and to think such great things happening near my home town of Leeds, of all places! I do so hope that we can find a way of working directly together as well as supporting each other in our endeavours.
Best wishes and keep up the great work,
Sarah
Gina, thanks so much for finding Conscious Box 🙂
We believe that shopping consciously is the fastest way we can change the world, so we’re excited to be able to help others learn how to shop conscious, too!
We used your quote at http://www.consciousbox.com/shopconscious – hope you don’t mind 😉
Hi Bjorn
With pleasure! 🙂 Thanks for finding me and the consultancy. What great work you guys are doing! I was at the Conscious Capitalism Institute’s conference in Boston this year and spoke to some Gen Y’s there – and was totally inspired by how they see the world and business. You guys are the future, and it is inspirational to see what you are up to. Hope Conscious Box goes from strength to strength.
In fact, this gets me thinking….I am writing a book on what I see as the Principles of Conscious Leadership. I wonder whether you’d be up for being interviewed to get your views on the world of business and conscious business? I would really like that 🙂
Look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes,
Gina
Gina, we’d be thrilled to! That sounds like a fun project. I’ll send an email to you now!