As a leader, how do you want to be remembered?

One of the most powerful exercises I´ve found for helping me stay in alignment with my values and intentions is to ask myself how I would handle a specific situation if it were to be videotaped and played back to me when my life ends.  When I put that context around my decisions, I invariably choose the wisest path.

I encourage you as a leader to try this exercise as you make choices and decisions that impact your colleagues, customers and the larger world.

Recently I heard the story of how Yvon Chouinard, Founder of Patagonia, made a commitment, long before it was trendy to do so, of switching to organic cotton for their products because of the benefits to the environment. Since then, Patagonia has made several unusually responsible decisions that reflect a deep understanding of consequences. http://www.grist.org/news/maindish/2004/10/22/little-chouinard/

I just heard this week about Whole Foods Markets initiating their move to solar energy to power their grocery stores. The first one nearby me in Berkeley, CA goes live the first week of March.  http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/company/pr_BRKsolar.html

These are examples of right action that can have tremendous impact on the future health of our world. They create momentum for others to follow in their footsteps.

When faced with a choice, are you thinking through the impact to your larger community? This community might include your team members or your direct reports. Or, perhaps you have influence on decisions that impact customers and/or the environment. It could be something as simple as actively promoting and using the company´s recycling program, or allowing employees a day per month or quarter to work in support of a non-profit. It might be encouraging employees to take some down time after the completion of a big project so that they can build back their energy reserves and stay engaged for the long term.

What would the world be like if companies consistently chose the wisest course of action? Would we still see trans fats in our food products, or toxins in our cleaning products and cosmetics? What would fast-food chains offer in terms of food options and portion sizes to help curb the epidemic of obesity? What would organizations be like for employees if decision makers actively sought the best alternative for the greatest number of constituents?

A friend of mine is fond of saying, "With age comes wisdom." I´m not so sure.