Helping business leaders with accountability at our Leading with Purpose sessions

At our Leading with Purpose sessions, I ask: "Given all that you've learned and experienced today, if you could commit to doing one thing to make a difference, what would that be?"

Since the start of 2019 we've been convening groups of business founders, leaders and pioneers around a campfire to talk about how to solve 21st challenges - of how you lead with meaning and purpose in an increasingly uncertain world, and improve the planet and your business. So far we've run six campfires for 40 leaders. Publicly committing to an action in front of the group has been a key part of each session. This is what people have committed to:
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Campfire 6 - July 
The group question that emerged: "What difference can I make now, given what I know and the scale of the challenge?"

"To do my next weekly shop at Hisbe, and to create space to reach out to large organisations and work out how to work with them to support members of the Good Business Club."
​Sara Osterholzer, Good Business Club

"Not to stress on a Sunday about Monday, it’s okay to relax and go out with friends etc - I’ll be more healthy mentally, and to take a different tack with research projects for the Martlets and Sussex University."
Michael Yeoman, Savent Solar

"To start an algae cultivation system at home and offer algae to guests, and to finish the paper I’m working on!"
Jules Sidenburg, Consultant working in the Developing World

"To look at the bigger picture and enable/encourage my team to speak into the plan, and to take a 3-day weekend, do things that are important to me outside of work and work compressed hours."
Frances Duncan, Clock Tower Sanctuary

"To take more walks with dog/husband without phone, and appreciate where we are, and to arrange conversations with our client base to cultivate these ideas."
Victoria King, Plus Accounting 

"To reconnect with my purpose, it’s not just about the money! And to take 1/2 hour to 1 hour once a week and go for a walk in nature."
Karen Stenning, Absolute Alchemy

"To spend more time in nature, and to find a coach and work on a business plan."
Nigel Berman, School of the Wild

Campfire 5 - May 
The group question that emerged: "Given the impact and success of Greta Thunberg, how do we encourage people to act together as a force for good to bring us back into balance with the planet?"
(At this campfire I asked for two commitments, one personal, one professional)

​"Reduce meat consumption to once per week, choose one social business whose impact is to improve the environment."
Helder Pimenta, Social Enterprise Consultant

"Sort out stuff at home to recycle and promote Magpie to friends, get Museums to commit to a date to talk about what people can commit to (to reduce impact?)"
Janita Bagshawe, Royal Pavilion & Brighton Museums

"Buy a compost bin this weekend, draw a map of the things I’m working on to identify if there’s a best one to pursue"
Steve Creed, Sustainability Coach

"Commit to writing and talking about these issues, write the next 2 blogs on these subjects"
Ben Johnson, Ten Percent Better

"Organise a single-use-plastic-free picnic, bring up sustainability at every new conversation with a client"
Annabel Dunstan, Question & Retain

"Write a letter once a month to someone who can affect change, have the conversation at work to tie the business to a charity"
Jody Raynsford, Hello Genius

"Slow down and reduce social media time, use your allotment to have chats (and meetings) ideally with new people"
Irene Soler, Web Designer 

"Reduce plastics - hand back to supermarket, eco offer for airbnb room, work - commit to starting a community for actions."
Nigel Berman, School of the Wild

Campfire 4 - April
The group question that emerged: “What else can we do locally now that can have an impact?”

"Organise an event like this one in nature for my network"
Helen Bailey, Aviatrix

"In next couple of weeks, get a group together to talk about this"
Amy Gibson, Amy Gibson Events

"Have a conversation with Nigel and do something!"
Jamie Pyper, Conscious Business 
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"Speak to the woman who organises Beaver colonies in Sussex and arrange a combined beach clean"
Andy Glyn-Jones, NatWest

"Arrange a meetup with neighbours, and also to change the format of a team meeting to talk about things that are important to them"
Sharon Howes, Martlets

"Have a conversation with Jamie and make a senior influencer circle happen"
Nigel Berman, School of the Wild
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Campfire 3 - March
The group question that emerged: “How do we change the core motivation within the business community?”

"The next company I work with to create a KPI that’s not profit driven"
Anthony McGaw, AOB

"Be generous and give my staff a bonus without fear"
Wendy Dolan, Swamped Media

"Challenge the notion with my next business group that it’s not all about profit"
Rob Day, Liquid Light

"Saying no to clients that we don’t believe in what they do"
James Armstrong, Digital Firefly

"Asking questions of people (and my son) in the next week - what’s your purpose above and beyond profit?"
Neil Pavey, Think Outside Coaching

"How can I find new ways to add value - working out how to do that"
Al Roberston, Brand Language Consultant

"Return plastic packaging at the supermarket"
Nigel Berman, School of the Wild
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Campfire 2 - March
The group question that emerged: "How can we harness the power of community to have a positive impact on the world?"

"To continue having these conversations"
Alice Reeves, Joyful Web

"Asking this Question of 10 other people (How can we harness the power of community to have a positive impact on the world?)"
Emily Munford, Rickshaw Travel

"Find two or three more mentors for the girls mentoring network I'm involved with"
Bonamy Waddell, Bon Insight

"Being a good neighbour and reaching out to neighbours"
David O'Connor, David O'Connor Designs

"Share community energy and community grants with this group"
Damian Tow, Brighton Energy Co-op

"Find groups that have purpose in my community - digitally and neighbourhood. Share a book in the street."
Neil Pavey, Think Outside Coaching

"Volunteer for Crohns/Colitis UK and be a cheering post for them at the Brighton Marathon"
Lauren Psyk, Writer/Photographer
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Campfire 1 - February
The group question that emerged: "How can we change behaviours so we stop living on autopilot and engage with the world as it is?"

​"Stop using Amazon Prime in the evenings"
Denise Bailey, CLIC Sargent

"Organise a Mental health training day for my staff"
Emma Pearce, Pearce Marketing
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"Look at sustainability"
Matthew Bellringer, Meaningbit

"Fix the draught that's coming through under the door"
Svenja Czubayko, The Sustainability Partnership

"Stop dairy for one month"
Kelly Southcott, Kivo Transformation

"Follow up with TEDx for a behaviour change talk"
Neil Witten, Pigs in Flight

"Give people more attention"
Cara Delaney, Think Productive

"Double down on buying second hand not new - especially clothing."
Rob Day, Liquid Light

"Get morning light as soon as I get up"
Tracey Clarke

 "Take Rob up on his offer of a Life Design session."
Tim Misson, Sales Engine

If you're the founder, leader or pioneer of a business or organisation and would like to come to a Leading with Purpose Campfire, register and book here.