Thanks for bringing me in, [Manager’s name]. I appreciate your interest in my studies.

While I understand the appeal of a clear-cut “get it done” approach, I believe there’s significant value in conscious capitalism and servant leadership that can actually enhance results. Here’s why:

• Employee Engagement and Retention: Companies that prioritize employee well-being and development see a clear advantage. According to a Gallup study, highly engaged teams show 21% higher profitability [1]. Servant leadership, which focuses on employee growth and empowerment, fosters this engagement.

• Innovation and Problem-Solving: Conscious capitalism emphasizes a higher purpose beyond just profit. This fosters a culture where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute ideas. A study by Harvard Business Review found that companies with a strong purpose outperform the S&P 500 by a factor of 4 to 6 times over 10 years [2].

• Identifying Deficiencies: Building strong relationships with all stakeholders, including employees, suppliers, and customers, allows for earlier identification of potential problems. When employees feel comfortable voicing concerns, it allows for proactive solutions and course correction before issues become major roadblocks.

Addressing Your Specific Concerns:

While clear expectations are important, a purely transactional approach might miss valuable opportunities. Consider this:

• Motivation: People are motivated by more than just rewards and consequences. Building positive relationships helps employees feel valued and intrinsically motivated to perform well.
• Hidden Talent: A focus solely on results might overlook hidden strengths and talents within your team. By fostering open communication and collaboration, you can unlock new capabilities and perspectives crucial for innovation.

Moving Forward:

There’s always room for improvement. Perhaps we can explore how some elements of conscious capitalism and servant leadership can be piloted within our team. Would you be open to discussing some potential areas for exploration?

Citations:

[1] Gallup, “State of the American Workplace Report,” https://www.gallup.com/workplace/285818/state-american-workplace-report.aspx accessed June 9, 2024 [2] Harvard Business Review, “The Business Case for Purpose,” https://hbr.org/sponsored/2016/04/the-business-case-for-purpose accessed June 9, 2024