Stories from the Community

Listening to ALL Voices: How To Build an Authentic Community
MaryAnne Harmer MaryAnne Harmer

Listening to ALL Voices: How To Build an Authentic Community

Every day, we talk to small businesses and non-profits about Conscientious Leadership. It’s all about understanding our responsibility towards people and planet and the importance of practicing humility and authenticity in the workplace.

And almost without exception, these leaders get it. It’s like preaching to the choir.

Which makes us feel hopeful.

When we gather with these colleagues, CEOs, Board Members and Executive Directors, we discuss the pressing topics of the day and what we're working on. Climate change. Purpose-driven businesses. And social justice issues, to name just a few. Clearly, these important matters resonates with them.

But it was a comment at the end of one recent discussion that really brought things home to us. Or should we say one word.

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How to Start Your Journey to Inclusion:  Simple First Steps
Tom Hering Tom Hering

How to Start Your Journey to Inclusion: Simple First Steps

Cinthia Manuel and I recently had the opportunity to present a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion focus topic at the “Conscientious Leadership” workshop, hosted by Benefit Corporations for Good. Sharing our insights and hearing about attendees’ experiences trying to drive change in this area was a fantastic experience, full of learning for us all.

Especially for those on a triple-bottom line journey, the words Inclusion, Equity, Equality, Diversity, Accessibility, and Justice are commonplace.

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3 Keys to Creating a Diverse (And Productive) Work Environment
Tom Hering Tom Hering

3 Keys to Creating a Diverse (And Productive) Work Environment

Many small business leaders today are charged with the stewardship of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (D/E/I) work of their organization. Those who truly embrace this work as core to the achievement of their overall business goals will experience more challenges and, yes more rewards. The diversity literature indicates that holistically engaging diverse workers will lead to increased creativity and overall team performance when the differences are managed effectively. 

So, what does this mean to you? 

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5 Time-Tested Lessons for the Workplace (“Pura Vida” Anyone?)
MaryAnne Harmer MaryAnne Harmer

5 Time-Tested Lessons for the Workplace (“Pura Vida” Anyone?)

We visited during the dry season, but that didn’t stop a few rain showers. But this is Costa Rica and it is an emerald world with frogs, butterflies, sloths, volcanoes and monkeys that enchant. This, of course, isn’t a travelogue but a blog about a word heard often in Costa Rica: Pura Vida. It’s a word …

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Lesson from Benefit Corporations: Diversity is More than Affirmative Action
MaryAnne Harmer MaryAnne Harmer

Lesson from Benefit Corporations: Diversity is More than Affirmative Action

Throughout the 20th century, businesses appeared homogenized. But as time passed, huge changes have occurred in our workforce and businesses. The people inside today's companies resemble nothing like those employees just a few short decades ago.  

The most obvious difference: You will find greater gender and ethnic diversity across most industries.

What might not be so obvious is that diversity is a major contributing factor for business growth and success. In a recent study conducted by McKinsey Group...

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