As a LinkedIn Editorial Top Voice, thought leader, author, educator, and change leadership practitioner, I write a weekly article that benefits existing or emerging leaders who want to improve their organizations significantly.
Last week's focus was on the beneficial qualities of humanism and then humanist commitments. An approach where "Humanism is an ethical, scientific, and philosophical outlook that has changed the world." The Renaissance was humanism's birth, leading to modern science's development at the beginning of the 17th century. A classical approach of humanism that addresses the common concerns of our younger generations.
A reasonable person who looks at what is happening in the United States (US) would not want it to continue for the sake of our children and their children. There are 12.4% of Americans in 2022 living below the poverty line, up from 7.4% in 2021. Child poverty has increased from 5.2% to 12.4% in the same period. In 2023, March 14th was Earth Overshoot Day for the US, when the Earth would fail if everyone consumed like us. The US incarcerates 20% of the prisoners in the world despite being less than 5% of the global population. Add in the high cost of health care, the infighting of our political parties, drug addiction, gun violence, and the federal deficit, and we are failing our younger generations. The American dream is becoming, at a minimum, a bad dream, if not a nightmare for a majority of its citizens.
The youth is the hope of our future. – Jose Rizal
The common concerns of our younger generations are 1) health care, 2) mental health, 3) higher education, 4) economic security, 5) civic engagement, 6) racial equality, and 7) the environment. These align well with the humanist commitments of 1) altruism, 2) critical thinking, 3) empathy, 4) environmentalism, 5) ethical development, 6) global awareness, 7) humility, 8) peace and social justice, 9) responsibility, and 10) service and participation. Intelligent leaders will work to align their vision, mission, and values to these commitments if they want to attract and retain the high-caliber talent of our younger generations.
The triple bottom line is People, Planet, and Profit. The intent is to move from a single bottom line of financials to positively impacting a business's environmental and social elements. There is growing evidence that companies that effectively and efficiently adopt environmental and social practices in their organizations also see improvement in their profit margins. The results are driven by:
• Successful triple-bottom-line companies can boost their public image.
• The boost helps them to attract and retain high-caliber employees who choose to work for companies with a sustainability focus.
• These ideal employees drive increases in innovation.
• The innovation leads to streamlining operations that reduce waste, leading to greater profitability.
Leaders who adopt a strategy combine humanist commitments with a triple-bottom-line to meet the needs of those looking for higher returns on their investments. At the same time, they will also become an attractive employment option for our younger generations, who are hopeful for a better future.
An old approach of humanism that addresses the common concerns of our younger generations. A reasonable person who looks at what is happening in the United States would not want it to continue. Intelligent leaders will integrate humanist commitments into their organizations to align their vision, mission, and values to these commitments if they can expect to attract and retain the high-caliber talent of our younger generations.
Those looking for A-Z guidance can find it in my book, Humanist Manufacturing: A Humanitarian Approach to High-Impact. While manufacturing is in the title and examples are from that industry, much of the content is relevant to any business sector. The result of higher profitability begins with many small steps and will result in stumbles along the way. However, those who do it well will benefit from the positive triple-bottom-line results.
I am grateful for companies showing that adopting some or all humanist commitments results in higher profitability, making their companies desirable employment options. Examples of companies that I am most aware of are Barry-Wehmiller, Cascade Engineering, Interface, and Patagonia.
Next week's blog will look further into how adopting humanist commitments addresses the concerns of our younger generations.
To learn more about our work or read more blog posts, visit emmanuelstratgicsustainability.com.
I encourage you to read my book Humanist Manufacturing: A Humanitarian Approach to Excellence in High-Impact Plant Operations. The paperback and eBook versions are now available at Amazon and many other booksellers. You can also view the Humanist Manufacturing Book Launch to gain additional insight into the Humanist Manufacturing framework.
If you like what you have read, I invite you to connect with me on LinkedIn. I am honored and humbled to be recognized as a LinkedIn Editorial Top Voice, an invitation-only group featuring senior-level experts and leaders. Less than 0.5% of LinkedIn members receive this invitation of 1 billion LinkedIn members.
Contact me if you need help with the manufacturing support services of consulting, coaching, or training/reskilling in change leadership, strategy, tactical planning, and change management by calling me at 734-664-9076.
See my virtual TEDx videos at Reinventing the Prison Industrial Complex and Humanist Manufacturing.
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