325 No people, no profits: The future of leadership in a capitalist world

My guest this week is author and expert in business and finance, Chris Lautenslager. We talk about Chris' book The Prosperity Loop and explore his views on purpose-driven business and capitalism. We get into the importance of building relationships, adapting to change, and creating shared prosperity in business. Chris believes that businesses should focus on enhancing the value of the people they work with, including customers, vendors, and the community. This people-oriented approach, he suggests, is key to thriving in today's changing world. We also step through Chris' wealth creation model for socially conscious leaders that aims to find a balance between people and profits.    Shownotes See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/future-leadership-chris-lautenslager    Key Moments  Planet Human: The World Economic Forum's latest report on the future of jobs. [00:00:04] Planet Zoë: Olympus Bound off to the editor [00:01:24] Introducing Chris Lautenslager  [00:03:40] Zoe introduces Chris, an author and expert in business and finance, and discusses his book "The Prosperity Loop" and his views on purpose-driven business and capitalism. The importance of gratitude [00:11:57] The significance of expressing gratitude to clients and the positive impact it has on the business relationship. The shift towards people-oriented business [00:12:56] The need for businesses to prioritise building strong relationships with customers, vendors, and the community, rather than solely focusing on operational efficiency and profit margins. The changing workforce and the need for adaptation [00:14:27] Business owners must adapt to the changing world and create an environment that attracts and retains employees. The importance of mentorship and assessment [00:25:25] Discussion on the joy of being a mentor, the need for assessment and adjustment in personal and professional growth. Choosing rewards and shared rewards in business [00:26:49] Exploration of the dilemma faced by business owners in providing perks versus fair compensation, and the importance of listening to employees' needs. The impact of values and changing the culture of small businesses [00:33:25] Emphasis on the need for cultural change within small businesses to prioritise inclusivity, care for others, and the rejection of greed for a better society. The problem of overwork and fatigue [00:38:30] Discussion on the stress and overwork faced by people in the workplace, and the need to recognise the inhumane nature of squeezing every bit of productivity out of individuals. The value of skills over automation [00:39:20] Highlighting the importance of acquiring skills instead of relying solely on automation, as there are certain jobs that robots cannot perform effectively, such as fixing cars or plumbing.