It takes strong leaders to transform business and change the world. But it can be done…and must.
In Five Features of Great Socially Responsible Leadership Mallen Baker gives a great list of strong socially responsible leadership qualities.
1) Being prepared to challenge the logic of your industry.
2) Doing something because it is the right thing to do, and then working out how to make it pay.
3) Understanding that the leaders sets incentives – and sometimes the bottom line is the wrong incentive.
4) Understanding when to follow the rules, and when to use common sense in the face of unintended outcomes.
5) Knowing that just because people around you see you as a leader, it doesn’t mean you’re a good one.
Will Marré also asserts a socially responsible leadership model in his recent article, CSR and the Four Ideals of Socially Responsible Leadership, he calls REALeadership. The model is based on four principles:
R—Relevant. A leader’s impact is long. Their decisions weigh more than others. So they must be wise enough to constantly see the big picture, to carefully consider the impact of their decisions on employees, customers, suppliers, the environment, the community, and the generations of unborn.
E—Ethical. To be ethical is to be moral. The moral standard is do as much good as you can. Create the Greatest Total Value you can. For everyone, all the time. Why else lead?
A—Abundance. Sustainable Abundance requires more than innovation. It demands invention. It requires creating something with unique value that genuinely benefits humanity and heals the environment.
L—Legacy. A leader’s legacy is his or her impact on the future. The world needs saving. We need new solutions we can implement as fast as possible.
Leadership, especially in today’s world climate, is indeed a great responsibility, but it’s also a great opportunity to do something really amazing. I think Marré says it best in the conclusion of his article, “If you aren’t going to save the world then get out of the way and make room for someone who is.” Are you up to the challenge?
Comments (1)
Jamie – I hear your pain and sorrow. I think you give these “powerful” people way too much credit. It is unlikely that 1/2 of 1 or 2 % of these rich and powerful people have the brain power, the will, interest or ability to execute a coherent plan to hold down the rest of the people. Nor is it luck. It is thoughtful intention, coupled with passion and requisite skill sets that there is even a modicum of ability to execute even a well thought out plan never mind the misc. ramblings of a lazy or inarticulate mind. As has been said repeatedly ~ Luck favors the well prepared. However, in my opinion, life is like playing Backgammon – sometimes, even when you make perfect moves, you lose. Anyone can fall into the water – it is those that figure out how to get out, or enjoy their time there, that have a life worth living. However, that being said unconsciousness can be its own reward – but, one eventually pays a big price for this approach. I truly appreciate the blaming thing, it is an interim step in the process of coming to understand the nature of life which is that you will never truly come to understand it but you must reach out to it and when your heart sings a song in perfect pitch with the soul you see reflecting in the mirror it will be then that you will be set free of the blaming and move on to accepting, honoring and acting on the responsibility each of humanity shares. One cannot try to do this ~ one can only do and you will or you won’t. Maybe if you allowed yourself to laugh more. End of Speech ! <<