Introducing ENLIVEN: the project I couldn't not do
I launched a podcast, and 14 episodes in, I just remembered to explain why I did it and what it's about. Whoops.
TL;DR
I started a podcast last fall, ENLIVEN. As of yesterday, we're 14 episodes in.
The show is an exploration of what's possible. It's me going on a learning journey with my guests, exploring how we make products and companies that have a soul. Exploring how we make things that truly make things better, and use business as a force for good.
If you're the kind of person that is interested in a positive future of business, who believes that business has the potential to be the greatest force for good the world has ever seen, then this is a show for you.
I don't have the answers. I'm exploring the questions. I invite you to come on that learning journey with me.
You can find all 14 currently released episodes, as well as links to subscribe to the show, here. Please rate it on Apple Podcasts and subscribe!
See you out there.
More context below...
Hypothesis & intention of the show
The hypothesis behind the show is that there is a new, latent form of organization seeking to exist in the world. One that leaves everything it comes into contact with better for that contact. I call this kind of organization an "enlivening organization."
The word "enliven" means "to give life, action, or spirit to; to animate."
What if this was the effect our companies had on every person and environment they affected?
What if every person, company, community, and environment that our org touched in some way, was left better off for having been in contact with us?
It's a high bar. Some say it's unrealistic, naive.
Yet I believe it's an aspirational vision and direction worth pursuing.
We have been seeing signs of it for years already with B-Corps, Conscious Capitalism, "Zebra" startups, Small Giants, the triple bottom line, and other such movements.
The intention of ENLIVEN is to explore these questions and to figure out if there's a there there, and if so, what it is. So that I can build those kinds of companies, and to spread it so that others can build them, too. Because the world desperately needs better organizations and leaders.
So far, in exploring these ideas, these have emerged as the topical pillars of the show:
product
culture
leadership
the human skills supporting all of the above (e.g. flow, accelerated learning, empathy)
We'll be exploring all the tools at our disposal — from products and services, to org culture, leadership, and the development of human skills — to build enlivening orgs and make things that truly make things better.
I don't have the answers. I'm exploring the questions. I invite you to come on that journey with me.
You can find all 14 currently released episodes, as well as links to subscribe to the show, here.
Please rate it on the iTunes store and subscribe! See you out there.