Big Bang Being

Anybody who has worked in the sustainability field for as long as I have has often asked themselves a key question, which Isabel Rimanoczy also poses in "Big Bang Being" : Why is the pace of change so glacial? And a key part of the answer, as she explains, is that we are dealing not just with vested interests but with vested emotions, vested behaviours, vested psychology and vested cultures. Changing all of these will be an intergenerational task, but important clues on how it can best be done can be found within. -- John Elkington, Executive Chairman, Volans; Co-founder, SustainAbility; author of 'The Zeronauts: Breaking the Sustainability Barrier' This is an ambitious and admirable book. This book focuses on how to both become and do: the inner as well as outward journey. -- Harry Strachan, Former Professor at INCAE and Harvard Business School; Director Emeritus, Bain & Co. A fascinating book that uncovers and deeply explores a question we've all pondered: why we do what we do. Isabel Rimanoczy walks us through carefully researched case studies to uncover the intriguing similarities - and differences - between people who dedicate their lives to the greater good. Immensely enjoyable and effortless to read, the author gets to the heart of the essential issue of how we can instill altruistic values to the next generation of leaders - and how they can do even better than us. -- Jeffrey Hollender, Founder, Jeffrey Hollender Partners; Co-founder, Seventh Generation Isabel Rimanoczy fills an important hiatus in our attempt to think out the strategy that is most likely to bring about an acceptable level of sustainability in our crisis-prone world. ... Asking ... social altruism of business leaders seems far-fetched. But Isabel Rimanoczy shows us that it is not ... Business people must act as powerful business leaders on the job, exercising power with a transformative mindset. It was not clear whether such people exist. Reading this book, we realize that they do ... What we get here is extremely useful information. We could use it in addressing the business community, catalyzing the transformative mindset in key individuals who can become change accelerators. We need them, and we all can become one of them. -- Ervin Laszlo (from the Foreword) This is an ambitious and admirable book. Our challenge is to be as well as to do; and, as Dr Rimanoczy emphasizes, that being is a critical foundation for doing meaningful innovative things. Carl Jung emphasized that integration of all parts of us, particularly the unconscious, is the great challenge of maturity; and I would add that it is what gives true leaders the "mass" they need to really make a difference. This book focuses on how to both become and do: the inner as well as outward journey. -- Harry Strachan, Former Professor at INCAE and Harvard Business School; Director Emeritus, Bain & Co. In "Big Bang Being", Isabel Rimanoczy knocks the reader out of her comfort zone and questions Western society's core beliefs. "Big Bang Being" contraposes our traditional values of economic growth, achievement, comfort and independence with far more sustaining concepts - interdependence, collaboration, humility, and balance. Read and act on this fundamental wisdom. -- Rick Schnieders, Chairman and CEO (Retired), Sysco Corporation It is clear to any serious scholar of business that not all's right with the world, as Browning wrote. The problem is not the unceasing drive for more efficiency and more profits; the problem is that business is no longer aligned with the worldly context in which it operates. One might say that business, if it ever had a soul, has now lost it, but it cannot recover it by following the myriad of green, sustainable, or socially responsible pathways being taught at now virtually all schools of business and management. The problem lies not in that metaphorical soul of an organization, but in the souls of those leaders and managers riding the wave of these new programs. Isabel Rimanoczy's "Big Bang Being: Developing the Sustainability Mindset" comes from her understanding that how business executives picture themselves far beyond the next quarter's results is critical in determining whether the business will break out of the pack. Whether conscious of it or not, their underlying philosophy shapes these executives' aspirations and ways of operating. It drives them to create fair trade organizations that would look irrational in a class on supply chain management. The world-view's underlying management education and practice is focused almost entirely on the left brain's notions of rationality and order. The way we look at the world shapes our reality, making us partners in a creative process. If we see ourselves living in a fragmented, mechanistic, and "rational" world, if we experience at the same time extreme optimism and feelings of emptiness and paranoia, we may be subject to too much of a left hemisphere and too little of the balancing act contributed by the right hemisphere. True sustainability that encompasses the historical aspirations of all human beings lies outside of the definitions and metrics that business uses. Mangers have to escape these definition and metrics, but that will take a change in the way they think, exercising their right brains. Rimanoczy spends much of the book showing us how to do this. She is informed in this by the 16 leaders she interviewed as well as a wide range of spiritual and philosophical domains. One key that emerges is that executives concerned about their legacy are able to transcend the standard values that drive business: Economic growth, Achievement, Control, Wealth, Comfort, Independence, Competition, Knowledge, and Speed. She has included many practices she uses as a "legacy coach", doing just what she has written about. People who intend to leave a better world after they has finished their life work do this by being the change they picture. Gandhi is most remembered by these words, "You must be the change you want to see in the world." The key to this lies in the word be . The title of the book refers to this kind of being in an exaggerated manner to show how far away from it most of us are today. Although business schools may find this message hard to swallow, it is critical to their and to our futures. If the state of the world continues to deteriorate, sooner or later the finger of blame will point directly at business. Management schools would do well to consider putting the lessons in this book into their present curriculum on an equal or raised footing with everything else. -- John Ehrenfeld, Executive Director, International Society for Industrial Ecology; Former Director, MIT Program on Technology, Business, and Environment; author of 'Sustainability by Design' In revisiting some of my favorite philosophical sayings recently, I was struck again by the comment of the philosopher Jose Ortega y Gasset, who said, "I am both a man and my environment. And in order to save myself, I must save it as well." A few days later I received this book by Isabel Rimanoczy, who in a refreshing, thought-provoking way sheds new light on the Spanish philosopher's thought. "Big Bang Being" is a book so readable and accessible that it might almost appear self-evident. However, all her statements, reflections, and conclusions result from a thorough, passionate, and responsible intellect. The book illustrates, suggests, and inspires the reader to take on a task that is demanded by the times in which we live: to develop to its fullest our humanity, our intellectual capacity, and our way of being. And to do it for ourselves and for others, so as to safeguard life on this wonderful planet. Ultimately, the task is to help save our environment, which is the only one we have, and in so doing, to save ourselves. -- Silvia Zimmermann del Castillo, Argentine thinker and author; Director, Argentine Chapter, Club de Roma I appreciate the way Rimanoczy distills lessons from the stories of the leaders she interviews. Instead of imposing theory she finds the common threads. Sixteen people's lives offer insights into leadership that are useful for all of us. -- Hal Hamilton, Founder and Co-director, Sustainable Food Lab A stimulating and provocative guide for developing the sustainability mindset that we all need to acquire. Creative, serious, playful, and fun to read. Highly recommended. -- James A.F. Stoner, Professor of Management Systems and chairholder, James A.F. Stoner Chair in Global Sustainability, Fordham University; author and co-author of 'Management' (Prentice Hall) Isabel describes her wonderful journey of addressing the environmental challenges facing our society, and she does it by emphasizing self-awareness and focusing on the meaningful experiences of certain business leaders. What motivates us to help? What do we expect from ourselves in the process? Why is it that we can achieve self-realization in this area more than anywhere else? This book is a good starting point in beginning to reflect and then step into action to achieve, sustainability. -- Marcelo Fumasoni, Vice President, Human Resources, Region Latin America and Canada, Novartis A sound review of why business leaders and others find it difficult to embrace sustainability actions. But it provides clear suggestions on why and how they should act with the emphasis on personal values and ideas. It also shows why change will involve a huge struggle, and therefore time, but which can be hastened if those with the power to influence take quality time to reflect and pause. A core message is that beyond our addiction to speed, there is the need to be informed and stop the denial. -- Chandran Nair, Founder and Executive Director, Global Institute for Tomorrow; author of 'Consumptionomics' In this book, Isabel Rimanoczy manages to both describe and to discover the essence of modern leadership. A resource that, in these times, seems to be in short supply. Precisely because of this absence, we are immersed in a social, institutional and, in many cases, economic labyrinth, from which we struggle constantly to find our way out. However, as Isabel describes the research findings into the sustainability mindset, she highlights the keys to the challenge we face as we redefine the paradigm for a model of sustainability. The author challenges everyone to develop a strong bond with their environment, because humans are the only beings capable of making the needed change. Every decision we make is meaningful, and it is the combination of our actions that will create the proper environment in which positive change will take place. -- Aleandra Scafati, Founder, Ecomujeres.com.ar; Director, Post Graduate Program for the Environment and Sustainable Development, Pontificia Universidad Catolica Argentina The magic of a great storyteller is to take truths from the personal to a circle of friends and fellow travelers to the tableau of society, commerce, mindsets, and the world we live in. Isabel Rimanoczy's poignant stories, evocative questions, and quirky illustrations point to new ways of living and leading. Her "Big Bang Being" threads this journey with lessons from ancient wisdom and modern science, and speaks deeply and intelligently to the ties that bind us to nature and to one another. Food for the mind, the heart, and a better future. -- Philip H. Mirvis, PhD, Senior Fellow, Global Network on Corporate Citizenship; co-author of 'Beyond Good Company' Rimanoczy is passionate about fostering an awareness in us of the importance of creating an environmental sustainability mindset. This book will help readers realize how to leave a personal legacy by committing to start their personal journey to make a difference in the world for future generations. -- Nancy Zentis, PhD, CEO/Founder, Institute of Organization Development; Founder, South Florida OD Network We need more "big bang beings" to truly win the fight for sustainable development. This informative and engaging book tells you how you can become one. -- Oliver Laasch, Founder and Director, Center for Responsible Management Education (CRME); author and editor, 'Principles of Responsible Management: Sustainability, Responsibility, Ethics' Big Bang Being could no be more timely nor relevant. The street gladly believes that business leaders do not care for the environment as much as they care for their profitability and share price. I believe the two cannot be separated anymore. This book brings the point across with wonderful examples to emulate. A recommended read for all in the boardroom and top management. -- Fernando Paiz, former chairman, Wal-Mart Central America A brilliant addition to the field of sustainability. Rimanoczy has written an inspiring book about enlightened companies and their leaders. Quoting Gandhi, Lao Tzu and other spiritual leaders and scientists, she creates a path for us towards sustainability - personal, corporate, and global. -- Deborah Leipziger, author of 'The Corporate Responsibility Code Book', Professor and Consultant

When asked for the definition of mental health and fulfilment, Sigmund Freud had two words: lieben und arbeiten, love and work. In this book we will find how 16 business leaders brought together their compassion, their caring for others and the world, with their work.

When asked for the definition of mental health and fulfilment, Sigmund Freud had two words: lieben und arbeiten, love and work. In this book we will find how 16 business leaders brought together their compassion, their caring for others and the world, with their work.

True, only on rare occasions are we able to meet the person behind initiatives that made a positive impact on the world, even less have an in-depth view into their feelings, concerns, hesitations, doubts and most intimate thoughts. What is seen publicly is the initiative, the impact on the bottom line and the community, or sometimes on the environment. Yet it is their _personal_ stories that can be most inspirational, since they draw our attention to the fact that amazing achievements start in simple ways, with just the thinking of one individual. And when we find out that the "exemplary individuals" have many very "human" aspects that we identify with and find in ourselves, it brings us closer; and, particularly, it may even trigger in us the question: If she could do it... I wonder what could _I_ do?

The interviews, however, were only the beginning of the journey. The lessons of the interviews made it possible to identify how we can all develop a sustainability mindset: in other words, the thinking and the being that can take us from breakdown to breakthrough on this planet. Each one of us can play a part in leading the change; in fact, we are already playing a part – we are just not necessarily aware if that is the part we would like to play, or aware that we choose the change we are contributing to unfold.

Part I presents the 16 leaders, including a summary of their story and their initiatives. Part II goes a little deeper, as you will find two dimensions that were not obvious but which underlie the way these business leaders championed the initiatives: the Thinking and the Being. Part...read more...