Activate World

Derrick Feldmann, millennial and cause influence researcher and author, discusses how to engage in a social movement for good. Many are belongers in social causes. The goal is to move people from belongers to believers. Leaders design social movements where believers can self-organize and engage others to gain momentum and social change. Business leaders can build community with millennials, gen Z, and across generations, a necessary leadership skill in today’s social cause orientation. Listen to our conversation on social movements for good! Follow Activate World on Twitter  Follow Activate World on LinkedIn  Join the conversation in our private LinkedIn Group    

Jess Kutch co-founded Coworker.org in 2013 as a platform for employees to advocate for change in the workplace. She saw the opportunity to provide digital tools to workers allowing them to launch their own campaigns and affect change in their work lives. She shares her perspectives on “the fourth industrial revolution,” or a new labor movement enabled by the internet. Jess is an advocate for giving workers economic power to counter the extremes of capitalism and rising wealth inequality.  Follow Activate World on Twitter  Follow Activate World on LinkedIn  Join the conversation in our private LinkedIn Group

Professor Sharon Nepstad’s research covers topics including social movements, and nonviolence and civil resistance studies. She notes that business leaders play important activist roles in communicating societal values and promoting change in areas such as gun control, immigration, and climate actions. She discusses the concept of leadership capital and its impact on leading change in business and society. Business leaders often have resources for social change that grass roots activists lack. Follow Activate World on Twitter  Follow Activate World on LinkedIn  Join the conversation in our private LinkedIn Group  

Professor Francesca Polletta researches the role of storytelling in social movements. She says stories can do three things: get us to care about an issue, create or jump-start a movement, and tell new stories about issues in fundamentally different ways. Social movements’ most important impacts are in changing opinions, beliefs, values, and behaviors. Professor Polletta’s focus is on people who are affected and influenced by movements and bring those ideas and values into their workplaces. Follow Activate World on Twitter  Follow Activate World on LinkedIn  Join the conversation in our private LinkedIn Group  

Greg Satell managed a news organization during Ukraine’s Orange Revolution and saw the power of social movements. The same principles underlying successful social and political movements are present in corporate transformations, such as networking, creating a vision of shared values and consciousness, and keystone change. Through cascades, small groups that are loosely connected but united by a common purpose, a company can be transformed, an industry disrupted, or an entire society reshaped.  Follow Activate World on Twitter  Join the conversation in our private LinkedIn Group Follow Activate World on LinkedIn   

Dr. Jerry Davis, professor at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business and associate dean for Business Plus Impact, is finding more ways for business to contribute to social betterment. Information and communications technologies now make corporate activities very public, and in turn, force companies to understand their values and what they stand up for. Dr. Davis believes activism should be encouraged, as risk taking, innovation, and passion can serve the businesses’ interests. Listen to our conversation on how social entrepreneurship and social activism combine in powerful ways! Follow Activate World on LinkedIn  Follow Activate World on Twitter  Join the conversation in our private LinkedIn Group  

We are excited to share with you thought-provoking conversations with people engaged in social change as it impacts business. Do you consider social entrepreneurs as activists, or are you curious about how social movements can create a roadmap for business change? Many discuss storytelling, but have you thought about how stories and their characters can change history? In Season Six, we will explore all these questions and more. We'll mix business and sociology, creating ways for business leaders to set an example in achieving business and social change, and reach for a new standard in capitalism. Listen and share our next season of Activate World!  

Solstice deploys “community solar,” enabling households to subscribe to shared solar farms. Co-founder and CEO, Steph Speirs, highlights their business model to achieve greater energy equity. Solstice addresses inclusion issues in the solar industry, works to democratize access to clean energy, and focuses on accelerating the transition to clean energy. Listen to our conversation on how Solstice as a social enterprise is changing business and demonstrating a new generation of leadership! Listen to the Activate World Podcast Follow Activate World on Twitter  Join the conversation in our private LinkedIn Group

Applying entrepreneurial principles to serve the poor and protect the planet is the definition of social entrepreneurship at Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship Santa Clara University. Dr. Thane Kreiner, executive director, discusses the Global Social Benefit Institute for accelerating for-profit, nonprofit, and hybrid social enterprises. Our conversation explores the business model of social entrepreneurs – persevering through challenges to achieve greater social and business value. Listen to the Activate World Podcast Follow Activate World on Twitter  Join the conversation in our private LinkedIn Group

Loren Rodgers, NCEO’s executive director, shares his perspectives on employee-owned companies as the basis of a new economy focused on broad-based prosperity, limited wealth inequality, shared sense of ownership, and responsibility for communities and workplaces. Learn about employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), the main vehicle for broad-based ownership in the U.S., a retirement plan that invests primarily in company stock and holds its assets in a trust, in accounts earmarked for employees. Listen to the Activate World Podcast Follow Activate World on Twitter  Join the conversation in our private LinkedIn Group

Bud Caddell founded NOBL, a worker collective consulting firm in 2014. Worker collectives make decisions by practicing direct democracy versus electing a board of directors. In NOBL’s case, decisions are made by a broad consensus structure of all employees and operates with little hierarchy. NOBL’s four locations have local authority, and everyone has a stake in the company. Twice each year NOBL reboots by asking employees how things could be done differently, effectively creating a new company. Listen to the Activate World Podcast Follow Activate World on Twitter  Join the conversation in our private LinkedIn Group  

Joe Garrison co-founded worker cooperative, Blue Scorcher Bakery Café 15 years ago in Astoria, Oregon. The co-owners wanted equal ownership and decision-making by consent which led them to Sociocracy. A small group mandate has all decision-making members of an organization organized in circles. “Lead-do-measure” allows circle members the autonomy to decide the best way to achieve their goals with outcomes measured. The process is iterative and allows for goal reassessment as part of the process. Listen to the Activate World Podcast Follow Activate World on Twitter Join the conversation in our private LinkedIn Group

Leslie Watson works for a cooperative of consultants whose co-op clients are primarily in the natural foods sector. By definition, “a cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise.” Leslie discusses why cooperatives, and their community focus, are increasingly viewed as alternatives to the economic models of capitalism and socialism. Listen to the conversation on cooperatives and consider starting your business as a cooperative. Listen to the Activate World Podcast Follow Activate World on Twitter  Join the conversation in our private LinkedIn Group

What happens when a company transitions from a traditional business model to one with distributed authority? At Covert.com this brought work to the forefront and allowed it to guide the organization’s structure and management process. Morgan Legge shares her experience as a Holacracy Bootstrapper and the benefits and challenges of a model that allows individuals and teams to self-manage while staying aligned with the organization’s purpose. Listen to our conversation with Morgan Legge, Holacracy Bootstrapper at Convert.com. Listen to the Activate World Podcast Follow Activate World on Twitter  Follow Activate World on LinkedIn 

During the 5th season of the Activate World podcast, we will explore if different business and organizational models create more activating dynamics for teams and individuals. Today, cooperatives are being reconsidered and implemented. Holacracy is more than a fad, and Sociocracy is being tested and embraced. Although credit unions have been around since 1849, they remain an organizational innovation in the financial industry. Nothing is pure as some pursue a blend. We will engage with the leaders and experts of these unique businesses and organizational models. Key questions will be: What works? What are the leadership challenges? Are team members more engaged within the organization and community? What are some examples of successful outcomes across the different models?  

How do you create a more diverse tech industry with greater numbers of empowered women? According to Debbie Forster, you stop talking about it and take action by engaging companies to recruit women to tech, collect data, and share best practices. Debbie co-founded Tech Talent Charter which now includes 300 organizations of all sizes and sectors intent on achieving greater diversity. Best practices allow these organizations to learn from one another and improve the diversity of their workplaces. Sectors represented include companies from entertainment, traditional tech, engineering companies, and government. Tech Talent Charter also works in partnership with the Department of Digital, Media, Culture and Sport which provided initial seed funding and helps recruit signatories. In 2019, many of these companies are focused on retraining programs, conversion programs, and other efforts to persuade women to reconsider pursuing tech careers. These companies are making concerted efforts to be positive, professional, welcoming, and inclusive workplaces.  Listen to the Activate World Podcast Follow Activate World on Twitter  Follow Activate World on LinkedIn 

Phim Her is a Hmong-American refugee who uses art and design to impact sociocultural innovation. Her interests are in helping people from diverse backgrounds become empowered, have a voice, and find a path forward in the design industry. She teaches young designers professional development and the importance of finding mentors, allies and advocates at their workplace. Phim believes “We must move from the talking about the world of design to talking about the design of the world.” Her work with AIGA on the National Diversity & Inclusion Task Force and EMERGE focuses on the importance of including greater diversity into design and the benefit to society. Creating a diverse and inclusive culture is not only ethically sound, but it also fosters innovation. Diverse voices and alternate narratives enable authentic collaboration and ideas that challenge the status quo, creating new solutions and opportunities. Listen to the Activate World Podcast Follow Activate World on Twitter  Follow Activate World on LinkedIn 

Christine McCarey has developed diversity, equity, and inclusion programs for her former employer, RetailMeNot, and her own consultancy, Impact DEI. Describing the terms: diversity is “invited to the party,” equity is “playlist picks for everyone,” and inclusion is “asked to dance.” All three work holistically to create a fully diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. Christine discusses a range of DEI topics including leadership buy-in, data grounding, and generational differences. Millennials are now the largest generation in the workforce and the most culturally diverse and socially conscious. As they take on more leadership roles DEI will change to reflect their influence and preference for purpose-driven organizations. Christine emphasizes that first and foremost, education is needed to create fully diverse, equitable and inclusive workplaces and communities. In addition to published information, social circles should be examined to make sure there is generational, racial, ethnic, and gender diversity. Different perspectives from different kinds of people should be taken into account, such as veterans, the disabled, and members of the LGBTQ community. Listen to the Activate World Podcast Follow Activate World on Twitter  Follow Activate World on LinkedIn 

Michaela Ayers shares her experiences on diversity and inclusion as a lead with the Diversity Task Force at Payscale, a compensation research company. Objectives include teaching people the language needed to talk about inequities as a precursor to thinking about them and ensuring everyone feels safe to bring their whole selves to the workplace. She emphasizes that leadership must set the example, as employees need to see leaders modeling and embodying principles of diversity & inclusion. It’s critical that executives buy in and fully understand what inclusive leadership looks like. Data can help measure program success or highlight areas for improvement. Companies often try to recruit diverse talent pools – but the culture must support inclusion or talent will seek other employers that do. As a Millennial leader, Michaela blends work and community inclusion initiatives through Nourish, her social impact organization. Nourish brings people into a community conversation about race, creating an openness to engage diversity. Listen to the Activate World Podcast Follow Activate World on Twitter  Follow Activate World on LinkedIn 

Dr. Dolly Chugh discusses research on the psychological constraints on the quality of decision-making with ethical import, a phenomenon known as "bounded ethicality." She has special interest in unintentional forms of unethical behavior. Dr. Chugh’s research shows that accepting we’re not always good is necessary for growth. Mistakes allow us to learn, so, it’s better to be “goodish” than good. She discusses being aware of bias, diversity, inclusion, and privilege and acting intentionally on that awareness in everyday life. The concept of a growth mindset is based upon humans having a learning mode and a performance mode. In the latter mode, measured brain activity in certain areas declines when an error is pointed out. When a person is in a learning mindset, or a “goodish” mindset, brain activity increases when an error is pointed out and learning is activated. Dr. Chugh emphasizes that we need to look at ourselves first in order to become the good people we mean to be. Regardless of our race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion, understanding and accepting our fallibility is a prerequisite for growth and becoming a better person. Listen to the Activate World Podcast Follow Activate World on Twitter  Follow Activate World on LinkedIn     

Change leadership presents challenges as Celine Schillinger, an expert on organizational change, corporate activism, and social networks, knows well. Celine discusses her experience working at pharmaceutical company Sanofi Pasteur, where she used the Kotter change model, social media, cross-hierarchy dialogue, and other change agent concepts to create a community of people who care for each other and facilitated the change process. Our conversation includes insights on the necessity of diversity. Join the conversation with  Celine Schillinger, CEO and founder of We Need Social. Listen to the Activate World Podcast Follow Activate World on Twitter Follow Activate World on LinkedIn

Although you probably heard of the AARP, representing individuals who are 50 plus in age, you may not have heard of the Association of Young Americans. Ben Brown started the Association of Young Americans to insert the voices of 80 million young Americans, ages 18 to 35, into everyday politics. We explore the community being built, along with the key focus issue areas:  student debt, climate change, campaign finance, and criminal justice. From hiring a lobbyist to organizing the 80 million young Americans, Ben is building a community that politicians and business leaders cannot ignore. Join the conversation with Ben Brown, founder of the Association of Young Americans. Listen to the Activate World Podcast Follow Activate World on Twitter Follow Activate World on LinkedIn  

Do you discuss politics at work? How do you feel if political issues are discussed in the workplace? With limited research on how an organization’s focus on political ideology impacts employees, Dr. Sekou Bermiss, along with Dr. Rory McDonald, Associate Professor Business Administration at the Harvard Business School, explored what happens when an employee’s political ideology differs from the firm where they’re employed. What happens to conservatives in a liberal workplace, and what happens to liberals in a conservative workplace? A new organizational culture element to consider. Join the conversation with Dr. Sekou Bermiss as we explore his findings in “Ideological Misfit?  Political Affiliation and Employee Departure in the Private-Equity Industry” and discuss the insights gained. Listen to the Activate World Podcast Follow Activate World on Twitter Follow Activate World on LinkedIn    

The creative economy opens many doors for entrepreneurs, businesses, and communities. An empowering capability of the creative economy is discovering unexpected benefits in unexpected places. Creative Startups sparks a revolution in the creative economy by bringing together diverse entrepreneurs to create exciting and innovative companies. Join the conversation on how creative talent generates exciting opportunities of change for individuals, companies, and communities.  

Corporations seek innovative ways to create social and environmental impact with the most effective giving solutions to mission-aligned challenges. Maximizing stakeholder value translates to being good corporate citizens. Good Returns enables a new approach to corporate social responsibility with meaningful social impact and illustrative stories engaging employees and community.  Join our conversation with Kyle Lukianuk, President of Good Returns Network. Listen to the Activate World Podcast Follow Activate World on Twitter Follow Activate World on LinkedIn

How do you create a community of servant leaders who run for political office?  A new organization – New Politics – is engaging former military and service volunteer leaders (e.g., Teach for America) and supporting their election campaigns. Gain insights from the midterm elections as a diverse class enters the U.S. Congress and servant leadership begins to transform politics and the way we serve our country. Can our politics change through the efforts of organizations like New Politics? Join the conversation with Emily Cherniack, Founder and Executive Director, New Politics. Listen to the Activate World Podcast Follow Activate World on Twitter Follow Activate World on LinkedIn  

When a business leader begins to look for opportunities to give back, options range from charitable organizations to social ventures. Organizations, like Social Venture Partners, exist to engage business leaders and leverage their expertise and passion to help build social good capacity in social enterprises and charitable organizations. The CEO of Social Venture Partners Dallas, Tony Fleo, offers his insights and experiences on how to engage locally and make an impact. Participation in Social Venture Partners is as important for 20-somethings as it is for all generations. Join our conversation! Listen to the Activate World Podcast Follow Activate World on Twitter Follow Activate World on LinkedIn

Free speech on university campuses is approached inconsistently. While some colleges get it right, others limit free speech in governing what is appropriate. College campuses are a place to pursue ideas and truth, and we explore how we can protect and encourage both ideals. Encouraging better thinking and engagement are vital to a better society. Join our conversation with Keith E. Whittington, Professor of Politics, Princeton University. He is the author of Speak Freely: Why Universities Must Defend Free Speech. Listen to the Activate World Podcast Follow Activate World on Twitter Follow Activate World on LinkedIn

We explore how businesses make a statement by the media channels they choose to run ads and when they decide to pull ads. During the past year, several examples have occurred when businesses have pulled ads due to given program’s controversy or other issues. Media and journalism are necessary elements for a strong democracy. Media and journalism are also businesses. This episode explores how these two roles interact and how the media can help to promote democracy and good governance. We also examine the interaction between media and business and red and blue political affiliations – is this good marketing or does it drive greater political divisiveness? Join our conversation with Melita Garza, Associate Professor, Journalism, Texas Christian University. Listen to the Activate World Podcast Follow Activate World on Twitter Follow Activate World on LinkedIn  

Journalism plays a critical role in preserving democracy. Although currently under attack, it is important to understand the role of journalism and the process of journalistic accountability. Refreshing our perspective on what good journalists do in writing a story is important, along with understanding the importance of placing the public good above everything else. Journalism is a process in which a reporter uses verification and storytelling to make a subject newsworthy. Also, with Jeff Bezos and Warren Buffett buying newspapers, we discuss how business leaders are engaging journalism in a new way. Join the conversation with Susy Schultz, President of Public Narrative. Listen to the Activate World Podcast Follow Activate World on Twitter Follow Activate World on LinkedIn

Although there is a lot of conversations about the role of social media and polarization, few have investigated it as this team from MIT Labs. Using Twitter and a Social Mirror experiment, we explore what this team learned about how social media polarization happens and what we can do about it. Join the conversation with Nabeel Gillani, Ann Yuan, and Martin Saveski, MIT Labs, authors of “Me, My Echo Chamber, and I: Introspection on Social Media Polarization.” Listen to the Activate World Podcast Follow Activate World on Twitter Follow Activate World on LinkedIn

Jennifer Petersen, Associate Professor of Media Studies, University of Virginia, continues the conversation by highlighting one of her favorite early radio stories and personalities. The character is Reverend Bob Shuler, who is sometimes known as "Fighting Bob" Shuler. Learn his story, especially as it relates to current-day social media personalities. Within his story, the need for regulation begins to stir and unfold. History may begin to repeat as it relates to the continued evolution of social media platforms. Listen to the Activate World Podcast Follow Activate World on Twitter Follow Activate World on LinkedIn  

When radio first was introduced, there was a trajectory of adoption, concerns, and regulations. History provides an interesting perspective when we look at how social media compares to the advent of radio. In the early days of radio, some even spread falsehoods. In looking at the role of social media today, we take a trip down memory lane and gain insights from the early days of radio. Join our conversation with Jennifer Petersen, Associate Professor of Media Studies, University of Virginia. Listen to the Activate World Podcast Follow Activate World on Twitter Follow Activate World on LinkedIn

Starting a business is always a challenge. Starting one with a conscious mindset adds motivation and a place to enjoy the work. Business can do good, and Yikes started with this ideal. Through their work, organizational culture, and community, Yikes is a solid example of a Benefit Corporation and Certified B Corp who enliven their work by what they do within their company, sustainability in their Philadelphia community, and eliminating bias in our society. Be inspired by these entrepreneurs and their work! Listen to the Activate World Podcast Follow Activate World on Twitter Follow Activate World on LinkedIn

The benefit corporation form was first created in Maryland in 2010. Later, Conscious Capitalism became a movement based on a 2013 book co-authored by John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods. Together, capitalism and business models require more than just maximizing shareholder value. Senator Elizabeth Warren has recently proposed new legislation on accountable capitalism that will present new opportunities and challenges for business leadership. Listen to the Activate World Podcast Follow Activate World on Twitter Follow Activate World on LinkedIn

Corporate social responsibility includes elements of philanthropy and sustainability. Corporate social responsibility or corporate citizenship continues to evolve and grow to engage team members, serve the common good, and enhance operations. Business leader activism can elevate corporate social responsibility to greater outcomes and challenges. Listen to the Activate World Podcast Follow Activate World on Twitter Follow Activate World on LinkedIn

Sustainability is the singular initiative that comes to mind when speaking of corporate social responsibility. While sustainability has proven its worth beyond doing good and helping the environment, it also serves as a rallying point for employees to find ways to contribute and advance this initiative. Achieving employee fulfillment is important as well as encouraging productive employee activism. Listen to the Activate World Podcast Follow Activate World on Twitter Follow Activate World on LinkedIn

Corporations have been some of the most important innovators in American law, shaping it positively and often negatively. Many are unaware that corporations gained civil rights faster in the U.S. than African Americans and women. Law Professor Adam Winkler outlines the history, court cases, and the roles of corporations as they pursued and expanded their “civil rights.” With these new rights, do corporations have greater social responsibilities? Learn more on Activate World Follow Activate World on Twitter Follow Activate World on LinkedIn

Businesses have long used lobbyists to influence business and government leaders to create legislation or conduct an activity that will help their organizations. Lobbying is typically focused on legislators or members of regulatory agencies to influence specific legislation or gain corporate tax benefits. Understanding the role of business lobbying is essential for successful business leader activism. Learn more on Activate World Follow Activate World on Twitter Follow Activate World on LinkedIn

Weber Shandwick and KRC Research conducted a study on CEO activism and found that 47 percent of Millennials believe CEOs have a responsibility to speak up on issues important to society. In the 2018 Edelman Trust Barometer, 72 percent surveyed – across generations – said they trust their employer to do what is right, and 64 percent said they want CEOs to take on policy changes without waiting for the government. Business leader activism is an emerging leadership model, and the Activate World podcast is a modern think tank in action to learn and act upon these shifts. Learn more about me and our podcast goals on the Activate World website! Jon Mertz, CEO & Lead Activator