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The Conscious Companies Awards have come and gone in a glittering event where the winner, IQ Business and its chief executive Adam Craker was announced with runner-up Joe Public.
Craker and his ilk are visionary leaders whose actions manifest greater good for all.
They are not born remarkable or extraordinary, neither are they perfect, all they have done is learnt the skills to manage their own existence, fully cognisant of their surroundings.
The also used their positional power, the resources and the means to influence and better the lives of those around them.
This brings me to an exemplar of consciousness in action. A man, whose life had always been an inspiration to me, Booker T Washington, was born into slavery in America and became free - bereft of any education.
Yet when he died in 1915 – he had dined with world leaders and presidents being the first black man in America to receive an honorary degree from Harvard as well as a Doctorate from Dartmouth College.
He made his life exceptional through being deeply aware of his actions.
Washington not only bettered himself but fought fearlessly to better the lives and the world around him.
Like Washington, it became evident that when men and women, capable of great leadership appear on the scene, sooner or later they come to possess an influence commensurate with their greatness.
Outstanding epochs in the history of an organisation or nation were made legendary by their outstanding leaders who worked with purpose, placing humanity first.
To gain a deeper understanding of consciousness and the finer perceptions that distinguish great men like a Gandhi or a Mandela from others, one had to place humanity at the core to bring about harmony, create stability, prosperity and cooperation with others. That’s what a purposeful, conscious life is about
Despite the circumstances of one’s birth and environment, a shift in consciousness to activate an inner call of tolerance, sensitivity, care, compassion and being authentic is what is required for the transformation of one’s corporate and personal life.
Thus in the quest to uncover conscious companies, the recipients of the Conscious Companies Awards displayed a tendency towards a more conscious world view of mutual help and service.
These are the exemplars of consciousness and visionary leadership.
In line with the conscious ethos of the Award, the Craker wins a unique week long trip to India for a mind, body, spirit executive renewal in an Ayurvedic Wellness Centre in an Ashram in Bangalore and IQ Business is awarded a Conscious Companies sculpture.
• Brenda Kali is the CEO of Conscious Companies and the author of Beyond Corporate Sludge: Insights to create balance and harmony in the workplace. The 2018 Conscious Companies Awards was held on Thursday, May 17, in partnership with Liberty, Classic 1027 and City Press.
