Research suggests that the greatest perceived benefit of sustainability efforts to business is improved company and brand reputation. There is mounting evidence that focusing the power of business beyond the bottom line provides competitive advantage. And in “The Responsibility Revolution”, Jeffrey Hollender of Seventh Generation writes that “a growing number of business leaders are pushing toward a more generous form of capitalism, one that consciously works for the common good.”

Why the sea change? The reasons are numerous and compelling -- increased consumer awareness and power, a global market place, climate change, a far-reaching economic downturn, a decade of high visibility corporate wrong-doing and more-to-come regulation.

Regardless of how entrenched the principles and practices of conscious capitalism are at your company, the current imperative for highly effective leaders and teams is clear.