Aug 24, 2016
Thea Polancic is a passionate
advocate for the power of business as a force for good in the
world. She is the Founder and Chair of the Chicago Chapter of
Conscious Capitalism - a movement dedicated to elevating humanity
through business, founded by John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods
Market.
The Chicago Chapter is the first in
North America, and in less than 18 months it has grown to more than
1,100 members. Under her leadership, the Chicago Chapter produces
programs for the general public and private events for senior
executives who are committed to leading organizations that are both
purposeful and unapologetically profit-driven. As a result of her
efforts, the international Conscious Capitalism Annual Conference
has taken place in Chicago for the past two
years.
Thea is also the Managing Partner of
ClearSpace, LLC, a consulting firm that helps CEOs transform
themselves, their teams and organizations to meet the challenges of
the future and grow and thrive. Over the past 15 years, Thea has
worked closely with many senior leadership teams to grow
organizations with a higher purpose, creating value for all
stakeholders, developing servant leaders, and having healthy,
values-based cultures. Her firm’s clients include organizations
large and small across the country. She is a mentor to Chicago
accelerators TechStars Chicago, Healthbox and The Impact Engine and
the Conscious Venture Lab in Maryland.
Thea is sought-after speaker on
leadership and the future of business.
Web - www.Clearspace.net
Twitter - @tdpolancic
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/theadurfeepolancic
Summary & Ideas for
Action
In this interview, Thea covers the
concept that consciousness and profit are compatible. Older
executives may need to examine consciousness; younger executives
may need to open their consciousness to embrace profit. Purpose is
an intentional combination of consciousness and profit that
necessitates a great business model, great leaders, and engaged
stakeholders—the suppliers, the customers, the board, shareholders,
and owners, and the employees of the organization. The growth is a
journey, not an endpoint. The CEO is key to the purpose. Purpose
spreads from the CEO down through the organization. If the CEO is
not engaged in the purpose, the organization cannot prop it up. If
the CEO sustains the purpose, then so may the
organization.
Key
Takeaways
[5:46] Will big business save the
world? McDonald’s is the largest employer of teenagers on the
planet. To make a difference for teenagers, you should go talk to
McDonald’s.
[6:58] My personal purpose is in the
form of a promise: By the year 2030, business creates a world of
beauty, prosperity, and happiness.
[8:21] The world is a complex,
ambiguous place. In uncertain, complex environments there is a
specific kind of leadership that is more effective, which starts
with a long-term perspective.
[14:15] How do you teach that it’s
OK to be unapologetically capitalist and profit-driven?
[17:27] The need for purpose is on
the rise and is moving mainstream quickly.
[22:05] This is a journey, not an
endpoint. It starts with the CEO’s internal work. A CEO who is not
the authentic driver of the purpose will undermine it.
[29:50] Leaders must match the
intellectual valuing of mistakes, failure, and the challenges of
the climb with the emotional capacity to be compassionate for
themselves and their teammates, and create an environment of
emotional safety inside of which risk taking can happen.
Quotable
Quotes
- “What we want is that caring and
accountability.”
- “Doing business in this way is
ultimately one of the few remaining sources of competitive
advantage that you’re going to have.”
- “Have a stakeholder value creation
model, not just a shareholder or owner value creation
model.”
Books Mentioned on the
Show
Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the
Way of True Inspiration
Leaders Eat Last
Mindset: The New Psychology for Success
The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of The Learning
Organization