The Rise of Conscious Capitalism
Patricia Aburdene is one of the world's leading social forecasters. For 25 years, she has helped thousands of organizations and millions of people make the most of social change and transformation.
The co-author of the bestselling book Megatrends 2000, Patricia has a new book out, a blueprint of the social and spiritual forces transforming the free-enterprise economy. This book, entitled Megatrends 2010: The Rise of Conscious Capitalism, reviews seven new trends that will change how we work, invest, and even live.
Patricia describes 'conscious capitalism' as a holistic vision of business in which consumers, investors, suppliers, managers, and visionary CEOs all play a role. More than a megatrend, it's also a self-organizing movement, with everyone trying to restore ethics, accountability and soulfulness.
In Patricia's newest book there is a chapter titled "Leading from the Middle." When we think of authority in business, we often think of the power of CEOs and company presidents. However, she reminds us of a kind of authority that is more spiritually based.
Patricia calls this 'moral authority', and argues that it has as much value in business as more conventional types of authority. Living and breathing your gifts while at work is a very important way to lead from the middle. And because you're influencing people, there is no question that it is a valid brand of leadership.
Consumers have a tremendous amount of power over the companies we dislike. We can take our values with us when we go shopping. As consumers, are we using our vote at the cash registers by choosing products that mirror our values and rejecting those that don't?
Those who want to earn a return on their investments while keeping their values front and center are called values-driven investors. Since the 1970s, there has been a movement toward socially responsible investing in the United States.
At present still a minority culture, Patricia believes that in the next five years conscious capitalism will be mainstream. As we learn the power of prosperity on our spiritual paths and extend this into the marketplace, we'll be aligning our values with our products and investments.
Are social and spiritual trends re-shaping the free-enterprise economy? What is the future of conscious capitalism? Let megatrend forecaster tell you more about this growing movement. Click here to listen to the seminar.
