Long-time followers of ELI have heard us say that we’re not very interested in Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, or Richard Branson’s entrepreneurial journeys. This is both because their stories are not common or replicable but also because they, at times, diverge from the customer-driven approach to entrepreneurship that we advocate for. Enter the concept of Principled Entrepreneurship. 

Author Andreas Widmer’s book, The Art of Principled Entrepreneurship, promotes a different approach from the typical high-growth entrepreneurial perspective. By outlining five unique pillars of principled entrepreneurship, the book offers a people-centered leadership paradigm that promises to promote virtuous impact while remaining profitable. 

Hat tip again to ELI facilitator Stephen Taylor. Thank you for continuing to share insightful works with us!

If you haven’t ever heard from Carla Harris, consider this your wake-up call. Harris is the former Chair of the National Women's Business Council, former Vice Chair of Wealth at Morgan Stanley and has made a continued career of writing and speaking about leadership and mentorship. Earlier in 2023, she joined Adam Grant on his podcast, ReThinking.

During their conversation, Harris and Grant unpack her early years in business, the role of leaders in attracting and retaining quality employees, and the importance of mentorship. One quote from Carla during the conversation stuck out, “there’s a lot of different equations that equal success. Surely there'll be one for me.” This speaks to the importance of seeing yourself in positions that you cannot currently fill but also shows the value of finding mentoring moments in any situation. 

Check out the full episode below to hear more from two insightful and impactful speakers!