“The social responsibility of business is to increase its profits.” That statement was part of an article written by economist Milton Friedman for The New York Times Magazine in September 1970. In the article, Friedman argued that the more profits that were returned to shareholders, the more money shareholders could use to do social good.
Since publishing Work On Purpose last year, I have since had the honor of speaking and coaching on its principles. I open by telling the story of how something I heard on the radio one morning became a career-changing wake up call. It lead me on a journey to connect with my purpose, and find work that truly made a positive impact in the world. In closing, I challenge others to connect who they were with what they do for a living. Then I take questions. Without fail, this question is always in the top three: (more…)
Last week, I attended The Future of Work Conference in Las Vegas. Author and futurist Jacob Morgan opened his Day 1 keynote with this story of Sissa and exponential change. (more…)
In his book, When the Game Is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box, John Ortberg tells a story about his son. Ortberg says,
One day when my son was three, he had been working with a tape player for an hour or so. After a while he looked up at his mom and said, ‘Mom, you know what’s the trouble with life?’ His mom replied, ‘No I don’t. What’s the trouble with life?’ The three-year-old sitting on the floor, who had thoroughly reflected on both toy technology and the conditions of human existence, made a profound observation. ‘The trouble with life is that it doesn’t have a rewind button!’ Every day and every minute carries its own finality. Time is a non-renewable resource.”
“The social responsibility of business is to increase its profits.” That statement was part of an article written by economist Milton Friedman for The New York Times Magazine in September 1970. In the article, Friedman argued that the more profits that were returned to shareholders, the more money shareholders could use to do social good. (more…)
“Leadership is the art of accomplishing more than the science of management says is possible.” This is one of many quotes attributed to legendary public statesman and former Secretary of State Colin Powell. (more…)