‘Markets rely on rely on rules and laws, but those rules and laws, in turn, depend on truth and trust.” Charles Handy explains that when we have an untrustworthy system, it becomes unreliable ad volatile—
we can’t depend on it. “The great virtue of capitalism – that it provides a way for the savings of society to be used for the creation of wealth” If capitalism can’t succeed, then a society will be more dependent upon its government. Charles points out that once trust is broken it’s hard to rebuild. Many business owners are forgetting about the consumer and even the shareholder and often putting their interests front and center when it comes to decision making. A gallop poll showed that 43% of Americans felt that senior executives were only in businesses to benefit themselves. 

Charles Handy explained that the purpose of business is not just to make a profit but more importantly to have the profit from a business so the business can do more for society. The “more” becomes the true reason for business. It’s being able to step back and realize that business is a vehicle for a better community.

One solution that seems to be a benefit for society is allowing the members of the corporation, or the employees, have legal rights. In Germany, for example, the employees hold a substantial amount of seats on the board. Charles points out that a company when united is able to contribute to society more as a collective group than each person individually. We all want to leave a legacy, know that our lives mattered. When we work as a group, that legacy can do more. He shares the example of Citicorp providing financial services to the underserved in India so they can invest. They are making money which a company needs to survive and also giving those that are income-deficient, the opportunity to invest.