"If they [companies] believe they are in business
to serve people, to help solve problems, to use and
employ the ingenuity of their workers to improve the
the lives of people around them by learning from
the nature that gives us life, we have a chance."
– Paul Hawken
Author and Founder,
Smith & Hawken

As with many things, the term "conscious enterprise" (which includes "conscious business") may mean different things to different people. Like the term "social responsibility," there are leaders, employees and enterprise-owners who truly and deeply endeavor to practice it, and a larger percentage who may simply espouse it at the surface level for marketing and public-relations benefit.

Conscious enterprise might be defined as that in which the people participating and making decisions are mindful and aware of the impact that their decisions, and thus the behavior of the enterprise, has on the people affected by the organization's work. They want that impact to be ethical, respectful, collaborative, and life- and community enhancing, rather than scarcity-based, disrespectful and destructive. They want to leave a positive legacy, rather than a wake of destruction. They are committed to products, services and practices that meet these goals of conscious enterprise, rather than "PR spin" that suggests positive constructive behavior but is simply a veneer covering a legacy of destruction and dishonesty.

Conscious enterprise is that in which the choice is to be conscious of the possibilities, the fullest and highest potential, of both business and humanity, while being conscious of the fact that we are either part of the solution or part of the problem.

Conscious enterprise includes an assumption that we're either helping to destroy or making a positive and life-enhancing contribution — helping to unveil what's best of (and for) humanity and the planet. This isn't from a self-righteous perspective, but rather from one that endeavors to bridge any gaps between one's spiritual or philosophical belief sytem and one's actions and impacts.

For whom is conscious action and enterprise most possible?

Consciousness-in-action is often most effectively practiced on an individual level, primarily because (as Gandhi and others have emphasized), changing the world does start within each of us individually. For this reason, solopreneurs and small-enterprise entrepreneurs may have a more realistic ability to create and sustain conscious enterprises.

Individuals working within organizations owned by others can identify and incorporate conscious practices as well, though have less of an ability to define the organization system in ways that support rather than inhibit conscious practices and positive effect.

What's the benefit of conscious enterprise?

All in all, the challenges can be steep but the benefits are many, including an increased sense of meaning and skillfulness, a connection between Spirit and action, a greater possibility for positive impact, and adding to the sustainability and health of the planet rather than to its destruction.

Consciousness makes for increased skillfulness and therefore more effective, rewarding, and enjoyable communications. Conscious leadership brings inspiration and clarity of purpose and vision in a workplace where "contributing to a good cause" is increasingly the greatest motivator. Conscious action means that one is aware of what one's actions help to perpetuate or create.

Ultimately, a destructive approach is not sustainable, and we already see the ill effects. Thus, conscious enterprise has practical as well as spiritual relevance.

Reflection Points

• What do you think people in enterprises should be more conscious of?

• What positive things do you think might happen if both people and businesses operated more consciously?

• What would you like to be more conscious of?

• What are five things you can do today to begin to incorporate these conscious-enterprise values into your everday way of working in your enterprise?

• What are five things you can do this month to begin to incorporate these conscious-enterprise values into your everday way of working in your enterprise more deeply?

For more ideas and resources related to conscious enterprise, visit the Ivy Sea Online conscious-enterprise portal, or check out the other articles, tipsheets and resource portals included in the box below.