The Blindspot of our Industrialised Thinking

CC By T. May – Restronguet Creek Tin Works – Royal Institution of Cornwall

Recently, I keep finding myself talking more and more on the topic of stories. Whether I'm working with whole organisations on their purpose-led transformation, or directly with leaders in conscious leadership coaching sessions. There is one story in particular that keeps cropping up; one so powerful and embedded that we don't even talk about it. So let's explore...

Industrial Mindsets Inform All That We Do

Our society remains caught in the lingering hangover of industrialised thinking, which permeates our lives, businesses, and sense of meaning. The capitalist, industrial, and technological revolutions have dramatically advanced our work capabilities, turning the impossible into reality. However, these advancements have come at a significant cost to our people and planet.

This mentality is so pervasive that we continue to view businesses as machines and people as mere cogs within them. We see individuals as resources to be optimised until they burn out, and then replace them like spare parts. But businesses aren't machines; they're living systems. They consist of communities of people with shared values, where each individual brings a unique set of beliefs, experiences, desires, and challenges.

The shortcomings of this industrialised mindset are evident even in neuroscience. While we can explain what the brain does, we struggle to understand why it does it. Our research often fails to tap into the creative core of our humanity—what drives us to change, dream, and work together for a better future. Yet, the surge in purpose-driven businesses reminds us that we are indeed surrounded by dreamers.

The desire and motivation are right before our eyes. Imagine harnessing this often untapped potential, transforming our lives so that people and businesses can thrive together, rather than at each other's expense—as the industrialised mindset often promotes.

Such transformative, systemic change is possible. I've witnessed it. However, two essential conditions must be met:

1. The System Needs To Develop Self-Awareness.

This means cultivating your organisation's emotional intelligence and aligning your culture with your purpose, creating unified momentum.

2. You Need A Viable Alternative To Replace What You Aim To Change.

You can't replace complex, entrenched systems with a void. This is where becoming a B Corp proves transformative.

B Corp represents a global movement towards stakeholder capitalism, enabling for-profit businesses to genuinely commit to a triple bottom line. It elevates the value of people and the planet to match that of shareholders in business decisions.

B Corp certification is the current gold standard for purpose-led and sustainable businesses. It evaluates governance, environmental management, and care for employees, community, and customers.

Moreover, it fosters an open, collaborative community that's rapidly growing in the UK. These businesses are known for:

• faster growth,

• higher employee retention, and

• greater resilience.

Are We Ready?

As the world changes dramatically around us at an unprecedented pace, we must ask ourselves: are we ready to change with it?

As a transformation consultant, I know it's possible to use these challenging times to take a positive, evolutionary leap forward for our businesses.

And because we are a community of dreamers, I know you believe it's possible too.