Reimagining Workplace Culture: Addressing the Urgent Need for Realignment

“We are in the midst of a global epidemic of burnout, stress, and exhaustion that’s taking a massive toll on our well-being, our creativity, and our productivity. The way we’re working isn’t working. It’s not sustainable, and it’s not serving us.” — Arianna Huffington (2022)

Background

This article was inspired by a conversation with an entrepreneur who is leveraging the power of AI, is a deep macro-level thinker, and co-founder of the “Global Gandhi” initiative. As part of Act4Bharat, a think tank where experts from various fields gather to discuss the impact of political, social, cultural, and economic forces on human well-being, we focus specifically on strengthening democracy and fostering sustainable growth in India. Drawing on my friend’s suggestion and my own experience in the design field spanning five decades, I aim to explore how organizations can develop a culture that supports and nurtures sustainable practices.

The ideologies that have come to dominate modern business are epitomized by Gordon Gekko’s “Greed is Good” speech in the 1987 film Wall Street and Mark Zuckerberg’s 2012 “Move Fast and Break Things” mantra. These ideas embody the relentless pursuit of short-term profits and rapid growth, often at the expense of sustainability, ethical practices, and the long-term health of the economy.

Despite its harmful effects, this dominant investor culture persists due to the financial rewards it promises. Challenging it will require a fundamental shift in priorities and a renewed focus on responsible stewardship and long-term value creation. In this article, I explore whether it is possible to transition from an unsustainable short-term growth and profit culture to a long-term sustainable evolutionary culture that benefits businesses, workers, communities, and the environment.

Premise

Let me begin with a simple premise: the ultimate goal of macroeconomic planning should be the well-being of the many, not just the prosperity of a privileged few. Our focus must shift towards systems and institutions that enable value creation at the grassroots level over prioritizing wealth accumulation at the top. We can no longer afford to rely on outdated notions of wealth trickling down to the bottom of the pyramid like meager crumbs; instead, we must strive for an economy that promotes inclusive growth and widespread prosperity. By rethinking macroeconomic principles and adopting policies that empower people at all levels of society, we can foster a more equitable and sustainable world.

Benchmark

Here I would like to cite E.F. Schumacher, a renowned British economist and author, best known for his influential book “Small Is Beautiful: A Study of Economics as if People Mattered.” Schumacher’s work challenges conventional economic thinking by advocating for sustainable, human-centered growth, making his insights particularly relevant to the discussion on rethinking macroeconomic principles and prioritizing grassroots value creation. Schumacher proposes a radical shift in macroeconomic thinking:

“The economics of giantism and automation is a left-over of nineteenth-century conditions and nineteenth-century thinking and it is totally incapable of solving any of the real problems of today. An entirely new system of thought is needed, a system based on attention to people, and not primarily attention to goods — (the goods will look after themselves!). It could be summed up in the phrase, ‘production by the masses, rather than mass production.’ What was impossible, however, in the nineteenth century, is possible now. And what was in fact — if not necessarily in theory — right in the nineteenth century is wrong now.” (Schumacher, 1973, p. 55). Later in the book, Schumacher highlights the importance of recognizing our interconnectedness with nature, asserting that “Modern man does not experience himself as a part of nature but as an outside force destined to dominate and conquer it” (p. 65).

My oral history project, “The Legacy of India’s Imagination” led me to dialogue with Dr Satish Kumar, the founder of Schumacher College, an educational institution that focuses on interactive and experiential learning to develop practical skills and strategic thinking for addressing the challenges of the 21st century. The college’s mission is to promote a holistic approach to education, where students work in small groups to engage their heads (intellect), hands (practical skills), and hearts (emotional intelligence) in tackling complex issues.

Schumacher College is named after E.F. Schumacher. The college’s mission is to promote human values and a holistic approach to education, in line with Schumacher’s ideas. It aims to recover a sense of wholeness in life and learning by emphasizing the relationship between reflection, the study of first principles, and action. The college also seeks to promote ecological and spiritual studies and make education accessible in a way that is in tune with the profound changes taking place in our culture.

First principles, also known as “first principles thinking,” is a method of problem-solving that involves breaking down complex problems into their fundamental elements, then using these basic truths or assumptions to build up a solution. This approach encourages people to question and challenge commonly accepted beliefs and practices, and instead, focus on fundamental principles that are universally true. The idea is to work from the ground up, rather than relying on pre-existing assumptions or conventions.

I had the opportunity to ask Dr. Satish Kumar about the career paths of Schumacher College graduates. Over the three decades since its founding, the college has prepared students for various careers related to sustainability, ecology, and social justice. While specific job titles can vary, common employment opportunities for graduates include:

• Research assistantships in regenerative agriculture, ecology, or related fields
• Work in non-profit organizations focused on environmental and social issues
• Jobs within the Dartington Trust, which is affiliated with Schumacher College
• Careers in education, teaching, or training related to sustainable practices
• Positions in organizations that prioritize human values, holistic education, and sustainable practices.
• Start up ventures with sustainable goals
• Small community based businesses

Schumacher College’s emphasis on holistic education, sustainability, and social justice has consistently guided its graduates towards careers that align with these values and principles.

The mission of Schumacher College, and its success in preparing graduates to contribute to a sustainable future, serves as an inspiring example of how outwardly focused, long-term thinking can motivate individuals to participate in creating value for society. Through fostering conviction, confidence, and a sense of purpose, Schumacher College demonstrates the potential impact of an education centered on holistic principles and sustainability.

Proposition

I end this article with a quote from Simon Sinek, an expert in leadership, culture and business:

“People don’t want to work for a company that is beating them up, overworking them, underappreciating them, and underpaying them. They don’t want to be demoralized in a job that doesn’t inspire them. They want to work for a company that inspires them, provides them with purpose, and gives them the opportunity to grow.” — Simon Sinek (2023)

I argue that the concept of organizational culture is inherently shortsighted and inward-looking. By encouraging employees to focus solely on the company’s internal environment, it cultivates a belief that life within this corporate bubble will lead to prosperity, happiness, and security. Tragically, the recent actions of tech companies — prioritizing short-term profits over employee well-being — have exposed the flaws in this way of thinking, revealing the need for a more holistic approach to workplace culture.

I propose an alternative culture that aligns with a larger, sustainable value system, motivating individuals to develop their own values that prioritize the well-being of humanity and the planet. By adopting this approach, workplace discussions, decisions and actions will no longer be limited to short-term growth and profit, but will instead inspire employees to leverage their curiosity, energy, and imagination to benefit not only their customers but also their communities, society, and the environment. This shift in ground-up thinking will help companies build more meaningful relationships with employees and the world at large, ultimately leading to long-term goals and sustainable outcomes.

I understand that corporate leaders, who must meet investor expectations, may view my ideas as idealistic and misaligned with their mandates. However, my aim is to address the increasing sense of alienation from company missions and apathy towards employee well-being experienced by many individuals at various levels within organizations. It is my hope that focusing on cultural realignment will create motivation for new ventures, both within established companies and beyond, that align with society’s current needs rather than solely catering to the demands of the investor community. Such an approach can help address the exhaustion felt by many in today’s fast-paced and profit-driven business environment.