By Mark Jones, CEO ImpactInstitute
Australia, the land of mateship and helping a stranger, is apparently losing its way.
Reading an AFR report about the latest Edelman Trust Barometer, I was caught off guard by this line:
The majority of Australians (54 per cent) think the nation’s social fabric has become too weak to serve as a foundation for unity and common purpose.
Our social fabric is too weak? If that wasn’t shocking enough, the research says just 24 percent of us would help a person in need who strongly disagrees with their view on societal issues. Put another way, 76 percent of us (three quarters!) would not help a stranger who thought differently to us. The mind boggles.
Are business leaders the antidote?
If we’re to walk back from this absurd slide into a world overrun by partisan politics, social polarisation and conspiracy theories, the report points to one group of people who are well positioned to help lead us back to sanity: business leaders.
According to the report, that’s because businesses are the most trusted institution, seen as both competent and ethical.
As a CEO, I’d be lying if I didn’t find this research, and this moment in Australian history, just a little bit daunting.
We’re at a significant tipping point in Australia where we’re steadily moving towards a wellbeing economy, thanks to the Federal Budget’s wellbeing budget.
CEOs and leadership teams are responsible for purpose and profit in this context. We’re responsible for workplaces where people earn money and expect to find friends, make a difference in the world, and (quite rightly) receive appropriate psychological, spiritual and emotional support. No pressure.
Chief Energy Officer?
There’s a fascinating theory of business emerging. If business is to lead the social impact charge, leaders must shape-shift culture inside and outside an organisation. There’s no silver bullet, but here are a few things leaders can work on today:
- Lead with generosity
Are you in this for prestige and progression, or do your KPIs include the wellbeing of all relevant stakeholders inside and outside your organisation? Assuming the latter, make sure you take time to deliberately learn from the communities you support, and lead with generosity. - Build social impact partnerships
Develop long-term partnerships with NGOs, NFPs, corporate partners and government agencies that align with your organisation’s mission. Social impact and sustainability are core business activities, not optional extras. - Invest in employee engagement
Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, social responsibility that’s coupled with the right technology employees need to do their job. It sounds basic but borrow Sir Richard Branson’s “employees come first” ethos, because happy employees create happy customers and by extension their families and communities.
Ultimately, it’s the small stuff matters. As leaders we can create cultures where curiosity is rewarded and difference is embraced. Let’s avoid distraction and get on with the task at hand, there’s too much work to be done!
Ready to increase your social impact?
At ImpactInstitute, we partner with clients to support, resource and enable their impact journey. Contact us if you’d like to discuss how your organisation can become impact-driven.