For the Greater Good - Volume 1, Issue 7
"The most important thing about leadership is your character and the values that guide your life.”
- Brenda Barnes
Happy New Year!
As we move into 2026, uncertainty is the backdrop for almost every leadership decision. I hear it from small business owners all the time: How do we lead when so much is unclear?
My answer is simple—we don’t need all the answers. We need clarity.
When values are clear—how we treat people, how we make decisions, and what we won’t compromise—leadership becomes steadier.
Teams feel it.
Customers trust it.
Values act as a north star when the path forward isn’t fully visible.
In 2026, the leaders who stand out won’t be the ones with perfect plans. They’ll be the ones who lead with purpose and consistency.
For small businesses, that kind of clarity isn’t just meaningful—it’s a real competitive advantage.
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(Check out our free Impact Readiness Quiz to see if you might be ready to join our community.)
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Simple Steps To Becoming a Benefit Corporation (1-Minute Video)
Since our December edition, the following has happened:
1 new business has certified
3 current BCFGs have recertified, and
12 states and 1 Canadian province now feature a BCFG certified business
Want to learn more? Check these out!
Purpose-Driven Businesses aren’t a Trend. They’re the Blueprint for 2026.
For years, “purpose” was treated like a nice-to-have. It was a brand story or a shiny badge on a website. But that era is ending. Young talent, talent that your organization needs, now demands more than a paycheck. READ NOW
3 Reasons for Purpose-Driven Leaders to Become a Certified BCFG Now
If you’ve been thinking about aligning your business more closely with your values, certification with Benefit Corporations for Good might be exactly the step you’re ready to take. And according to many of the small business leaders in our community, there are three standout reasons to do it. READ NOW
Do You Know the Cost of "Doing Good Business?"
"Everyone loves the idea of 'doing good business' until they see what it actually costs," according to Adam Junod, a fractional creative director. "At some point, all B corps and mission-driven orgs realize that the path they chose just might be way, way harder. Here's 6 harsh truths every people/planet leader learns the hard way: READ NOW
Upcoming Events:
January 28: Clarity, Accountability & Growth in Business
Info here
February 4: Why Values Matter More Than Ever
February 11: Happy Hour for Good
Info here
CURIOUS about why your small business should become a triple bottom line company? Free download of our book about the “why” and “how” for the benefit corporation.
KNOW OTHERS WHO BELIEVE IN A BETTER BUSINESS MODEL?
Do you know other people who are interested in the Triple Bottom Line of People, Planet and Profit? Conscientious leaders and businesses who believe in doing business for the greater good? Then send them this link so they can receive our eletter free every other week devoted, of course, to the greater good!
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If you're interested in seeing the companies we've certified to date, go here.
If you're interested in learning more about our certification process, go here.
If you're interested in becoming an Oregon Benefit Company, go here.