The Era of Corporate Social Responsibility is Ending | Rachel Hutchisson | TEDxWilmington

TEDx Talks

27 Oct 201608:20

Summary

TLDRThe speaker, with a 25-year career in corporate social responsibility (CSR), predicts CSR's replacement by human social responsibility. They argue that the focus on 'corporate' is limiting, as it excludes smaller businesses and individuals. Emphasizing that goodness is universal, the speaker calls for a shift towards involving everyone in social responsibility, highlighting the importance of aligning personal and community values with organizational goals to create a more impactful and inclusive approach.

Takeaways

🔄 The speaker has dedicated 25 years to corporate social responsibility but sees it being replaced by human social responsibility.
🗣️ They have communicated this shift to their boss, who agrees with the changing paradigm.
💼 The speaker works for a tech company that supports philanthropy, emphasizing the importance of giving back.
🚀 Traditionally, CSR has been for large corporations, but the speaker argues it should be for all businesses, regardless of size.
🌐 Over 70% of American workers are employed by small to midsize businesses, indicating a large segment not traditionally included in CSR.
💡 The speaker believes that 'good' should be accessible to everyone, not just certain types of organizations.
🌱 The world has evolved from the 'greed is good' era, offering more options for individuals to make a difference.
👥 People are the heart of every organization, and their individual contributions are vital to the success of any social responsibility initiative.
🔄 To transition from CSR to HSR, organizations should focus on balancing the needs of their people and the community.
📈 The key to successful HSR is knowing what people care about, putting them at the center of giving, and empowering them to do good.
🌟 When focusing on human instead of corporate, brands gain stature, becoming more real and relevant.

Q & A

What does the speaker mean by saying Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) will be outdated by the time they retire?
-The speaker believes that CSR, which is focused primarily on the corporate sector, is being replaced by a broader concept called Human Social Responsibility (HSR), which includes all individuals and organizations, not just corporations.
How does the speaker define Human Social Responsibility (HSR)?
-HSR is described as a broader approach to social responsibility that focuses on the human element. It involves individuals and all types of organizations—small businesses, nonprofits, and governments—working together to create positive change, rather than focusing solely on large corporations.
Why does the speaker believe the term 'corporate' in CSR is limiting?
-The speaker feels the term 'corporate' limits the scope of responsibility to large corporations, leaving out small and midsize businesses, which make up over 70% of the workforce in America. It implies that only large corporations are capable of giving back, which isn't true.
How has the speaker’s understanding of social responsibility evolved over time?
-Initially, the speaker viewed social responsibility as something primarily associated with large corporations, but over time they’ve come to believe that every individual and organization, regardless of size, plays a role in doing good for society.
What personal experiences does the speaker bring into their perspective on Human Social Responsibility?
-The speaker talks about bringing their whole self to work, including their roles as a mother, a community member, and a nonprofit board member. These personal experiences shape their view that people bring their human contracts, values, and responsibilities into their professional lives.
Why does the speaker emphasize the role of small and midsize businesses in social responsibility?
-The speaker highlights that most people in the U.S. work for small or midsize businesses, yet CSR often focuses only on large corporations. By broadening the scope to include smaller enterprises, social responsibility efforts can become more inclusive and impactful.
What does the speaker mean by 'human contracts'?
-'Human contracts' refer to the personal commitments, values, and responsibilities people carry with them, which influence their actions both in and outside of the workplace. The speaker argues that these should be acknowledged and incorporated into organizational social responsibility efforts.
How does the speaker suggest companies shift from CSR to HSR?
-The speaker suggests companies should focus on both their people and the communities they serve. By understanding what their employees care about and aligning that with their business goals, companies can empower their staff as agents of good and better contribute to society.
What are the 'three simple ingredients' the speaker mentions for successful social responsibility?
-The three simple ingredients are: knowing what your employees care about, putting them at the center of your giving strategy, and empowering them as agents of good. This approach allows companies to align their goals with the values of their people.
What does the speaker see as the future of corporate social responsibility?
-The speaker envisions a future where corporate social responsibility evolves into Human Social Responsibility. In this future, organizations focus less on the corporate structure and more on empowering people and communities to lead positive change.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Transition from Corporate to Human Social Responsibility

The speaker reflects on their 25-year career in corporate social responsibility (CSR), acknowledging that it will become outdated by the time they retire. They mention that CSR is being replaced by human social responsibility (HSR). Despite this, they continue to work on scaling CSR at their technology company, which supports philanthropy. They argue that CSR has traditionally been for large corporations, excluding smaller businesses, despite their desire to give back. The speaker believes that good should be for everyone, not just certain types of organizations. They also discuss how people bring their whole selves to work, and that organizations should consider this when creating a culture of giving.

05:01

🔄 Empowering People and Communities for Social Good

The speaker emphasizes the importance of involving employees and understanding their values to transition from corporate to human social responsibility. They suggest that organizations should know what their people care about, put them at the center of giving, and empower them to do good. The speaker also encourages organizations to take cues from their community and align their goals with the community's needs. They argue that when organizations focus on human values instead of just corporate interests, they become more authentic and relevant. The speaker concludes with a call to leadership to embrace the human aspect of social responsibility and to allow people to fulfill their 'human contracts' with the world.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Corporate Social Responsibility refers to a company's commitment to managing its social, environmental, and economic impacts responsibly. In the video, CSR is portrayed as an outdated concept that's being replaced by Human Social Responsibility. The speaker mentions that CSR has traditionally been for big corporations, leaving out smaller businesses and individuals.

💡Human Social Responsibility

Human Social Responsibility is a concept that emphasizes the role of every individual in contributing to social good, beyond the confines of corporate structures. The speaker argues for a shift from CSR to HSR, suggesting that it's more inclusive and relevant in today's world where individuals from all walks of life can and should contribute to society.

💡Philanthropy

Philanthropy is the act of donating money, goods, or time to help others, especially those in need. The speaker's company powers the business of philanthropy, indicating that it supports charitable giving and social causes. This term is used to highlight the broader scope of giving beyond traditional corporate boundaries.

💡Fortune 500

The Fortune 500 is a list of the 500 largest companies in the U.S., ranked by total revenue. In the context of the video, it's used to illustrate that CSR has been primarily focused on large corporations, which may overlook the potential for social responsibility among smaller businesses and individuals.

💡Small to Midsize Businesses

Small to Midsize Businesses (SMBs) are companies that are smaller in size than large corporations. The speaker points out that over 70% of American workers are employed by SMBs, suggesting that CSR's focus on 'corporate' excludes a significant portion of the workforce that could contribute to social good.

💡Human Contracts

Human Contracts is a term used to describe the personal commitments each individual makes to society. The speaker uses this concept to emphasize that every person, regardless of their professional role, has a responsibility and desire to contribute positively to the world.

💡Global Citizen

A global citizen is someone who identifies with being part of an emerging world community and whose actions contribute to building a more peaceful, sustainable, and inclusive world. The speaker mentions her son as an example of a global citizen, indicating the potential for the younger generation to embrace a broader scope of social responsibility.

💡Being Heart Plus Smart

Being 'heart plus smart' is a phrase used by the speaker's organization to describe the ideal approach to social responsibility. It suggests a balance between emotional commitment (heart) and strategic thinking (smart). The speaker encourages organizations to foster an environment where employees can lead with both their hearts and minds.

💡Empowerment

Empowerment in this context refers to giving individuals the authority and resources to take action for social good. The speaker advises organizations to empower their employees as agents of good, allowing them to actively participate in and lead social responsibility initiatives.

💡Community

Community, as used in the video, refers to the social group or groups that an organization interacts with and serves. The speaker encourages organizations to understand and prioritize the needs of their community, suggesting that a strong connection with the community can enhance the effectiveness of social responsibility efforts.

💡Leadership

Leadership in this context is about guiding and inspiring others towards a common goal. The speaker issues a call to leadership to embrace the human aspect of social responsibility, urging leaders to understand and promote the idea that everyone has the capacity and the responsibility to contribute to social good.

Highlights

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is being replaced by Human Social Responsibility (HSR), emphasizing a shift in focus.

The speaker has informed their boss that CSR is becoming outdated, and their boss agrees with this perspective.

CSR has traditionally been for large corporations like Fortune 500 companies, leaving small to midsize businesses without significant involvement.

Over 70% of people working in the U.S. are employed by small to midsize businesses, not large corporations, indicating the need to shift away from a corporate focus.

The speaker believes that 'good is for everyone'—not just large companies but also small businesses, nonprofits, and individuals.

The world has changed since the 'Greed is Good' era, and younger generations, like the speaker's son, have more diverse options for making a positive impact.

CSR reinforces the idea of corporations as faceless monoliths, but organizations are driven by people who bring their personal values to work.

People today bring their 'whole selves' to work, including their personal experiences and values, which influences their professional roles.

The concept of a 'human contract' means employees bring their personal values and experiences into their work every day.

To accelerate the shift from CSR to HSR, organizations should focus on their people and communities.

Organizations need to know what their people care about, put them at the center of giving, and empower them as agents of good.

The alignment of an organization's goals with the values of its people and community strengthens both the brand and its social impact.

Social good stories of employees should become part of the organization's social good story, emphasizing shared values.

Brands gain relevance and authenticity when they embrace the human component of social responsibility, shifting from corporate to human-centered approaches.

The speaker calls for leadership that keeps the human component central in all actions and decisions, fostering a culture of 'doing more good' together.