We live in a time marked not only by rapid change but, more profoundly, by deep levels of deprivation. Across the globe, billions struggle with poverty, inequality, and the relentless challenge of making ends meet. Even in countries where the poorest fare better than those in other parts of the world, the gap between wealth and need continues to widen. Yet, amid these stark contrasts, there remains a simple truth: we are all part of one human race, sharing one planet.
The scale of the challenge is undeniable, but so too is the opportunity. With the resources, technology, and knowledge at our disposal, we have the power to ensure that every person on this planet has access to the essentials—security, shelter, food, and healthcare. And we can do this in a way that honors our duty to the earth, building systems that are sustainable, equitable, and respectful of the planet, nature, and our environment.
But before we can turn possibility into reality, we must confront some fundamental questions—questions that challenge our priorities, push us beyond comfortable narratives, and demand that we rethink what it means to build a thriving, fair society:
- What’s going on in the world? Are we truly aware of the depth of suffering and inequity that exists, or do we look away, comforted by the relative stability of our own surroundings?
- What must happen? What will it take to ensure that every person has access to a dignified life, and how do we muster the collective will to act?
- What’s holding us back? What systemic barriers, entrenched interests, and fears prevent us from taking the necessary steps toward a more just world?
- How do we bridge the gap between profit and purpose? Can we create a way of doing business that sustains both people and planet, making a positive impact while generating the means to continue?
These questions are a call to face the realities of our time with courage and clarity. They compel us to imagine a future where the wealth and progress of some is not built on the deprivation of others—a future where business is not just a mechanism for profit, but a driver of Ethical Prosperity for all.
1. What’s Going On in the World?
The level of deprivation today is staggering. Across the globe, billions live in poverty, facing systemic inequality and struggling daily for basic needs like food, water, and shelter. Even in countries where the poorest are relatively better off, the gap between the wealthy and those barely surviving is widening. Yet, in this interconnected world, no nation is isolated from the suffering of others. We are all part of a single human race, sharing a finite planet with limited resources.
Take, for instance, the rise of social movements demanding fair wages and living conditions. These movements have highlighted how global supply chains often rely on underpaid workers to deliver cheap goods to wealthier markets. The clothing industry is a stark example—garment workers in countries like Bangladesh and Cambodia toil under harsh conditions for wages that barely cover their living costs. Meanwhile, brands in developed countries, while claiming to address sustainability, often continue practices that reinforce this disparity.
The story here is clear: our current systems are failing too many. While the global economy has created immense wealth, it has also left behind those who produce the very goods we consume. Recognizing this reality is the first step toward a solution: we must shift our focus from merely maximizing growth to ensuring that our economic models are inclusive and just, serving those who contribute to them.
2. What Must Happen?
It’s time to acknowledge that a dignified life should not be a privilege but a right—one that every human deserves, regardless of where they are born. With the resources and knowledge we have, the world can provide security, shelter, food, and healthcare to all, while doing so in a way that respects our planet and its natural limits. But this requires a profound shift in mindset and priorities: we need to replace short-term profit chasing with a commitment to long-term, purpose-driven action.
One example of this shift can be seen in the B Corp movement, where companies voluntarily meet higher standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Patagonia, for instance, has committed its profits to fight climate change, reflecting a willingness to look beyond immediate gains in favor of making a lasting impact. Yet, such examples remain the exception rather than the norm, highlighting the challenge of creating broader change.
For this shift to take root, businesses must embrace whole-system thinking—an approach that recognizes the interconnected nature of our challenges and seeks to create value in a way that benefits all stakeholders. This includes not only shareholders but also employees, customers, communities, and the environment. RoundMap’s approach, which places impact at the center of business strategy, provides a roadmap for how to build systems that thrive over the long term by aligning purpose with profitability.
3. What’s Holding Us Back?
If the path forward seems clear, why do we continue to struggle with inaction? Part of the answer lies in our deep-rooted resistance to change. Many organizations remain stuck in the old ways of doing business, driven by a focus on quarterly returns and insulated from the reality of their broader impact. This is what we might call corporate isolationism: a mindset where companies act as isolated entities, disconnected from the ecosystems in which they operate, even as their actions reverberate through those systems.
The banking sector’s response to the 2008 financial crisis offers a cautionary tale. The crisis exposed the dangers of unchecked risk-taking and a narrow focus on profit, leading to widespread economic hardship. Yet, even after reforms like the Dodd-Frank Act, many financial institutions returned to business as usual, prioritizing short-term gains over systemic resilience. In contrast, some fintech companies like Stripe have taken a different path, building business models that prioritize customer needs and transparency, showing that a more adaptive, responsible approach is not only possible but competitive.
The key is to recognize that systemic barriers—regulatory inertia, entrenched interests, and a culture that rewards short-term thinking—are holding us back. But these barriers can be overcome if leaders are willing to challenge conventional wisdom, reimagine their role in the world, and embrace more adaptive, stakeholder-focused strategies. This means moving beyond merely acknowledging the need for change and instead making concrete shifts in how businesses operate, measure success, and interact with their communities.
4. How Do We Bridge the Gap Between Profit and Purpose?
Bridging the gap between profit and purpose is not about choosing one over the other—it’s about integrating both to build a business that thrives in every sense of the word. This requires balancing short-term resilience with long-term impact, recognizing that profitability is a means, not an end. The Thrive Cycle offers a practical framework for this integration, emphasizing that businesses must continue to generate profits (strive) to survive, but these profits should be directed towards achieving broader, purpose-driven goals (thrive).
A real-world example of this is Danone, which, under Emmanuel Faber’s leadership, redefined itself as an “Entreprise à Mission”—committed to balancing profit with positive social and environmental impact. This bold step aligned Danone’s business strategy with a mission to support sustainable agriculture and address food security. However, the company faced significant resistance from shareholders more focused on short-term returns. Danone’s story reveals both the challenge and the promise of aligning profit with purpose: the pathway is difficult, but it offers a vision of a business model that is resilient and aligned with the future.
RoundMap’s framework aims to bridge this gap systematically, providing companies with a structured yet flexible way to integrate purpose into every phase of their business. By focusing on shared value networks—partnerships that amplify positive impact while mitigating negative effects—RoundMap shows how businesses can create ecosystems where profitability and purpose reinforce each other. It’s a blueprint for building a world where no one is left behind, where value is created for all, and where the success of one business contributes to the well-being of many.
Conclusion: Reimagining Prosperity
The challenges we face—poverty, inequality, environmental degradation—demand more than incremental change; they require a reimagining of what it means to prosper. By confronting these fundamental questions, we can begin to see the path toward Ethical Prosperity more clearly. RoundMap’s approach, with its focus on whole-system thinking and Impact-First strategies, offers not just a vision of what could be but a practical pathway for making it a reality.
This journey is captured in the image of a small, abandoned teddy bear on the ground of a cold tunnel, its empty gaze a stark reminder of all that a teddy bear symbolizes—security, love, joy, and the hope we wish for every child. When a teddy bear is lost, it represents more than just a misplaced toy; it speaks to a deeper loss—our failure to hold on to what truly matters. It reflects how, in our pursuit of profit and progress, we can lose sight of the fundamental needs of those most vulnerable.
Yet, there is light at the end of the tunnel. That distant glow represents the hope that remains, a promise that a better future is possible if we choose to move toward it with purpose. It is a reminder that while the path may be difficult, it is not without direction. Reaching that light requires us to make decisions that prioritize people and planet, to create a world where no one is left behind, and where every child—and every person—has the chance to thrive.
The choice before us is stark: continue on a path that prioritizes profit over people, or embrace a new way of thinking that sees thriving businesses as those that lift others up. It’s time to decide—because the future depends on how we answer these questions today. And just like that abandoned teddy bear, the hope for a better tomorrow rests in our hands, waiting for us to reclaim it.
Author
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Edwin Korver is a polymath celebrated for his mastery of systems thinking and integral philosophy, particularly in intricate business transformations. His company, CROSS-SILO, embodies his unwavering belief in the interdependence of stakeholders and the pivotal role of value creation in fostering growth, complemented by the power of storytelling to convey that value. Edwin pioneered the RoundMap®, an all-encompassing business framework. He envisions a future where business harmonizes profit with compassion, common sense, and EQuitability, a vision he explores further in his forthcoming book, "Leading from the Whole."
View all posts Creator of RoundMap® | CEO, CROSS-SILO.COM