As we close a year that saw renewed scrutiny of the business world – marked by debates over the impact of corporate activities, the evolving landscape of work-life balance, businesses reneging on remote work arrangements, and the glaring inequities in how people are rewarded and compensated – I felt it was opportune to sit down and capture my thoughts on this pivotal and widely discussed topic. These reflections come not just from observing headlines but from years of engaging with leadership, management, and the human stories that shape the world of work and society.

So much of our lives are shaped by the actions of companies. From the products we consume to the environments in which we live and work, corporations hold an undeniable influence over how we experience the world. And yet, despite this tremendous power, many of us find ourselves disillusioned by their motives. We often view companies as distant entities driven by profit, indifferent to the needs of their employees, communities, and the planet.

But here’s the twist: every company is made up of people – people who, for the most part, would like to believe that they are contributing something positive to the world. After all, if you asked them, many would express a desire to make a difference, to create something that adds value, fosters innovation, and benefits society. The challenge, then, is not in their intent, but in how we align that intent with a broader vision for the future – one that takes into account the well-being of our planet, future generations, and the public good.

The fundamental question that companies, leaders, and all of us must grapple with is this: How can we create a system where corporations stop perpetuating the very problems people resent them for while simultaneously enhancing their positive contributions to the future?

This is a challenge that demands both courage and commitment. It requires a deep reconsideration of what drives business and how we define success. For too long, we’ve allowed the “greed-only” model of capitalism to dominate, where profits are the sole metric of success. This approach worked, at least in the short term, atleast for those who only cared about that. But the cracks are beginning to show. Environmental degradation, growing inequality, and widespread dissatisfaction are all byproducts of a system that prioritizes financial gain over the greater good.

Yet, in this moment of reckoning, there is hope. There is a growing shift in the way we perceive business, one that offers a more nuanced, sustainable, and inclusive vision of capitalism. It’s a vision where generosity to our planet and to future generations takes precedence over short-term profit. This isn’t about abandoning capitalism altogether; it’s about recalibrating it so that it serves the broader public good.

We need to hope for a future where businesses understand that doing good is not at odds with doing well. This is where forward-thinking leaders emphasize the importance of aligning people, community, and products with purpose. The idea of “return on kindness”, focusing on creating lasting value by nurturing relationships and genuinely committing to well-being, stands as a compelling alternative to traditional metrics of success.

The implications of this philosophy go beyond business as usual. If companies begin to embrace this more human-centric approach, we could see a ripple effect – a shift toward a more socially responsible form of capitalism that nurtures people, the planet, and purpose. This model holds the potential to create wealth and prosperity not just for shareholders, but for the broader society.

However, this vision is incomplete without acknowledging the central role of nonprofits, organizations that often step in where businesses and governments fail. Nonprofits, in my humble opinion, but opinion backed by my 6+ years of experience in the sector, are frequently the unsung heroes, tackling the world’s most difficult challenges. Yet they are often underfunded, underappreciated, and limited in their impact. If nonprofits were given the support and resources they deserve, their potential to create real, lasting change could be extraordinary. And their ability to balance things would be enhanced.

It’s a mistake to overlook the fact that nonprofits, unlike businesses, are not driven by the same profit motives. Their focus is on solving problems and advancing the public good. This fundamental difference is what enables nonprofits to take risks, experiment with innovative solutions, and advocate for the marginalized without fear of shareholder pushback. In a world where companies have become more attuned to their social and environmental responsibilities, nonprofits are very well positioned to work closely with them to play a crucial role in shaping the future we need.

If we allow nonprofits the freedom to define their purpose and advance the public good without the constraints of profit-driven goals, we could unlock a new ecosystem of opportunity and transformation. When an organization is free to pursue its mission for the betterment of society rather than the enrichment of shareholders, it opens the door to a world of unlimited potential. This is the world we must strive for: one where companies, nonprofits, and communities work together to create lasting value that serves all people, not just the privileged few.

At the heart of this vision is a simple, yet profound idea: we are woefully underestimating the potential of nonprofits and the ability of companies to evolve. Too often, we view nonprofits as secondary players, useful but not as capable of creating change as businesses. This needs to change. By equipping nonprofits with the resources, recognition, and freedom to operate with a purpose larger than profit, we could see them become the most powerful agents of change in the world.

In fact, the future of business and society may very well depend on how well we can blend the strengths of both profit-driven companies and mission-driven nonprofits. Rather than seeing them as distinct, competing entities, we should see them as partners in creating a future that serves humanity. For the companies that get it right, the ones that embrace purpose over profit, will not only become more profitable in the traditional sense, but they will also become pillars of the community, innovation hubs, and stewards of the planet.

It’s time to stop accepting a world where business and charity exist in separate spheres. The future we need is one where the lines between business and nonprofit blur, where collaboration replaces competition, and where the public good becomes the ultimate measure of success. The companies of tomorrow should not just be profit machines; they should be stewards of humanity’s future.

This is a vision we can all invest in. And, just maybe, if we shift our collective focus toward this kind of shared purpose, we’ll find that businesses, nonprofits, and society can all thrive together.