Leadership Lessons: Growing Sustainable Companies | DAVOS 2020 | January 24th

TL;DR

Leaders discuss purpose-driven business, stakeholder capitalism, and values for a sustainable future.

Transcript

so welcome glad to have here my name is avi Schwab and managing director at the forum this is a short session with two of our of the forms Board of Trustees members and the way we're going to conduct this there's no moderation it's a dialogue between the two of you and you know certainly feel free to take questions from the audience if you want but... Read More

Key Insights

• 👨‍💼 Purpose-driven leadership is essential for addressing environmental challenges and societal well-being in business.
• ⚖️ Balancing profitability with social and environmental responsibility is crucial for sustainable growth.
• 🤩 Educating future leaders to value stakeholders, values, and societal impact is key for driving meaningful change.
• 👶 Emphasizing a new system beyond profit-centric approaches enables corporations to contribute positively to society and the planet.
• ❓ The importance of aligning personal values with professional actions to ensure a positive legacy and impactful leadership.
• 🍉 The need for leaders to embrace multiple perspectives and focus on long-term societal benefits rather than short-term gains.
• 👨‍💼 Acknowledging the limitations of current business models and advocating for an evolved system that prioritizes sustainability and stakeholder interests.

Questions & Answers

Q: What prompted Andre to focus on environmental sustainability and societal prosperity in business leadership?

Andre's realization of the Earth's deteriorating state led to the understanding that a new business system is required to ensure planetary well-being and human progress, emphasizing environmental concerns.

Q: How does Feike's leadership philosophy differ in a publicly traded company compared to a privately-owned one?

Feike's approach shifted focus from solely financial success to balancing profitability with social and environmental responsibility, challenging shareholder expectations for long-term sustainable growth.

Q: How do the Trustees view the role of corporations in societal and environmental progress?

They advocate for businesses to go beyond profit-making, emphasizing the need for collaborating with stakeholders, contributing positively to society, and fostering a sustainable planet.

Q: What changes do Andre and Feike suggest in educating and selecting future business leaders?

They propose a shift in business education towards emphasizing values and social/environmental impact, as well as assessing leaders based on a broader perspective of success beyond financial metrics.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Two Trustees members discuss leading with purpose, stakeholder capitalism, and sustainable business models.

• Andre emphasizes the need for a new system for environmental sustainability and societal growth through corporations.

• Feike stresses the importance of aligning business profitability with societal and environmental care, challenging traditional norms.