PUBLISHED 03/2022
BLOG - FUTURE WOMENX : LIFE IS A JOURNEY, NOT A DESTINATION
Our founder Isabelle Grosmaitre, a Future WomenX Alumni and a purpose entrepreneur wrote a powerful reflection on finding the courage to embrace the purpose revolution while bringing it to life with Goodness & Co.
LIFE IS A JOURNEY, NOT A DESTINATION
I am part of a movement of Future Makers acting for better futures. As an enthusiastic leader, I have always wanted to contribute to a better world with business as a force for good. Life is a journey, not a destination, as sometimes the roads are straight, and sometimes the roads are winding. But at every step of the way, connecting with your head and heart is key to shoot for the moon!
AN INVITATION TO THE ART OF BEING
End of 2018, I attended the first B CORP TRIBE of FUTUREWOMENX in NYC. This felt like a tipping point for me. We were a hand-selected group of women. Each of us was invited because we had the guts to live our potential, explore what makes us stronger, and the ambition to take the lead in designing our collective future.
At that time, I was Catalyst at DANONE, serving the strategic transformation towards ONE Planet ONE Health, and co-chairing at the CGF Collaboration for healthier lives. When you act as a catalyst of change, people will say that you act as a visionary leader, as a leader able to bring heads and hearts of people together to make it happen. But when you close your eyes, you know it is not so easy. You wonder how to reinvent models, how to have the courage to challenge the status quo when it is much easier to make business as usual… for the moment.
I will always remember that week with this amazing tribe of 11 B CORP WOMEN, with a strong will to be FutureMakers of a new kind of business. I felt so inspired and supported in a moment when I had many doubts when I stumbled. I grew up that week with a strong conviction that I wanted to be an Activist in Business. As we reimagine business, we need to rethink leadership. CEOs need the energy of these activists in business, these dreamers who do, eager to impact at scale, serving the transformation of their company.
MY COMPANY IS BUILT ON A CONVICTION
COVID 19 and all of the trauma unfolding in the world feels like an alarm bell for all for genuine reset. After more than 20 years+ in business, leading transformation from within, I have witnessed that conscious leaders are becoming a movement, not a niche. Only organizations with a positive impact on society will thrive, chosen by employees, consumers, investors, and partners. As awareness is growing among the CEOs, the question is no longer WHY. The question is HOW. Now is the time for business to be purposeful. Now is the time to shift from purpose to practice.
I decided to create Goodness & Co, to help organizations reinvent their model for better futures. WE EXIST TO SERVE ORGANIZATIONS ON A MISSION. To help CEOs and leaders in their vision, actions, and governance to create value and impact at scale. Embracing sustainability as an engine of competitiveness.
WHAT WILL IT TAKE?
THERE WILL BE NO TRANSFORMATION WITHOUT COURAGE.
Change is never easy. We have a decade to be bold and reinvent the way we do business. Leaders need to have the grit to challenge the status quo and to overcome obstacles along the way.
IMAGINE YOUR BUSINESS AS A FORCE FOR GOOD.
Redefine business in success, balancing profit and purpose. There can be no tradeoff between profitable growth and positive impact.
HARNESS THE POWER OF PEOPLE.
True transformation will start by empowering people, employees, partners, stakeholders every day, everywhere. People will make the difference.
DARE TO SHIFT FROM WORDS TO ACTIONS.
It is not static; we learn by doing. Remember to share progress along the way, meaningful initiatives will act as celebrations to demonstrate that it is possible.
THE NEW COOPETITION IS NOT AN OPTION.
The “go it alone” mindset is over. We need to step out of the silo path and create new forms of collaboration to create a powerful force for change.
It is a journey, not a destination. As we reimagine business, we need to rethink leadership. I believe leaders will thrive when engaging with wisdom and empathy activists in business. It will not happen by chance.
DO YOU HAVE THE COURAGE TO EMBRACE THIS PURPOSE REVOLUTION?
And please do remember that behind every successful woman, there is a tribe who has her back. So, look for your tribe!
Future WomenX is a global tribe of courageous, ambitious, forward-thinking female leaders united in their mission to elevate women and drive transformative change for a better future.
