On a chilly January evening, supporters and followers of Conscious Capitalism gathered in the warmth of Harry & Izzy’s in Indianapolis to discuss conscious leadership in today’s business climate. The event’s title – “Purpose-Driven Leadership in a Polycrisis World” – hinted at the challenge facing leaders today: How to remain anchored in purpose when the world feels increasingly chaotic?
The event featured a panel of local CEOs, sharing how their internal alignment informs their demonstration of leadership. Many insightful conversations took place that night, both during the panel discussion and among attendees sharing their takeaways with one another. Read on for memorable quotes from each of the featured panelists….
“Transparency isn’t weakness. It’s truth delivered with respect and intelligence.”
Bob Kobek, President and CEO of Mobius Vendor Partners in Indianapolis, shared with the audience that today’s “polycrisis” environment is not new, and that while context changes, the need for a grounded mindset remains constant. Bob encouraged business leaders to be as transparent as possible without jeopardizing integrity or insulting the intelligence of stakeholders. His philosophy is that clear, compassionate honesty sustains culture regardless of challenges that threaten to steal focus.
“When you understand where others stand on the mountain, you can see the whole landscape. Perspective brings objectivity.”
Amy Brown, founder and CEO of Authenticx, brought the perspective of a leader navigating the forefront of AI in healthcare. Her company listens to customer conversations at scale to provide human insights, but she admitted that even mission-driven leaders face “hard days” when multiple values conflict. Her “mountain” analogy refers to an understanding of different stakeholders’ perspectives, empowering leaders to be empathetic and informed in their decision-making.
“My role is to grow fruit on other people’s trees.”
Justin Moffett, co-founder and CEO of Old Town Companies, shared his journey of scaling a residential development business while maintaining a “fail forward” mantra. His quote about “growing fruit on other people’s trees” informs his definition of success: By focusing on the growth and success of his team, Justin finds that it creates an economic and cultural “flywheel” that benefits the entire organization and community.
“Love — it’s a four-letter word that guided me through leading my business.”
Larry Baker, a retired CEO and practitioner of Conscious Capitalism, offered a “long view” on leadership and how his journey of internal growth enabled him to show up for the collective mission. He shared that consciousness and principles matter most when things go wrong or you lose a deal. But by acting with love for others and staying grounded in core values, he found that he could lead with confidence and strength, even on the toughest days.
The evening’s panel discussion was expertly moderated by Andrea Butcher, founder and chief visionary officer of AE Consulting (Abundant Empowerment.) As an executive coach and host of her own podcast, “Being [at Work],” Andrea directed the conversation with an emphasis on values and gratitude. At the end, Andrea asked each CEO panelist to describe their “North Star” on overwhelming days. Their one-word responses – persist, love, truth, gratitude – beautifully summarize the overarching theme: That conscious leadership is about choosing values over circumstances.
About Conscious Capitalism
Conscious Capitalism is a management philosophy and global movement that convenes leaders who believe business can make a positive impact on the world. One of 18 chapters worldwide, the Indianapolis chapter of Conscious Capitalism has been celebrating the intersection of conscious business – purpose, profit and people – since 2017. Learn more about upcoming Conscious Capitalism events at www.consciouscapitalism.org/chapter/indianapolis.
Becky Doemland serves as president of the Indianapolis chapter of Conscious Capitalism. She is a social impact consultant, professional speaker and benefit auctioneer through her company Good Works Indy (www.GoodWorksIndy.com).
