Austin, Texas-based Whole Foods Market has released co-founder and CEO John Mackey’s newest book, “Conscious Leadership: Elevating Humanity Through Business” (Portfolio/Penguin Random House; $27). The debut coincides with the 40th anniversary of the first Whole Foods Market store opening.
This latest work is a follow-up to Mackey’s 2013 bestseller, “Conscious Capitalism: Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business,” which was widely embraced in the business community. The nonprofit of the same name now has 25,000 members across the U.S.
In this new book, Mackey and co-authors Steve McIntosh and Carter Phipps contend that if we want businesses to operate in a more conscious manner, we need more conscious leaders – something Mackey has been practicing for more than 40 years.
In “Conscious Leadership,” Mackey shares the evolution of his own leadership journey and provides a roadmap for innovative, values-driven leadership. He is both example and guide, writing a plan for leaders – in companies, governments, nonprofits, educational institutions and the military – to find passion and purpose, despite the challenges they face.
“‘Conscious Capitalism’ was the start of a movement. ‘Conscious Leadership’ is about how leaders can evolve and take action,” Mackey said. “It’s about calling on business leaders to look for ways to better not just themselves but all stakeholders that are a part of their organization. When leaders become more conscious, the organizations they lead become more conscious, creating an ever-widening circle of purpose-driven cultures and communities.”
The co-authors share nine distinguishing characteristics and behaviors that unite conscious leaders through vision, mindset and culture with an emphasis on things like putting purpose first, leading with love, finding win-win-win solutions, thinking long-term and a commitment to continually learning and growing.
Books will be sold in Whole Foods Market stores, on Amazon.com and at booksellers across the U.S. Profits from books will go to the Whole Planet, Whole Kids and Whole Cities foundations.
