Successful Business Serves Life

It’s time to stop debating with the lighthouse

The economic lighthouse shows us that we need to change course towards a new understanding of success. (Photo of original painting by Gary Bray)

I remember a meme that circulated long ago, back when memes came by photocopy and fax. It was about a large military ship exchanging messages with another seafarer when they noticed they were on a collision course. The military ship kept insisting that the other one — who must surely be of lesser clout — should change course.

The messages escalate as the big ship flexes its might and the underdog stands its ground, affirming that it’s not going to change course.

The punchline is that the little guy is a lighthouse.

The moral of the story is that no matter how strong and mighty one might be, some things are not up for debate.

The lighthouse reminds me of our current economic evolution

When I say to most business people that I believe all companies must enable life to thrive as a matter of their true purpose, they tell me this isn’t realistic.

I’d say they’re the ones who are not being realistic.

They see how things typically are today, where a company’s purpose is to make money. There might be some other details to the purpose…