Heroes come from unknown and unfamiliar places. Even Jesus of Nazareth came from an unlikely place. Neo in the Matrix was an ordinary man in a regulated world...on the surface. Bankers for Bernie, Politico's article by Ben Schreckinger, uncovers heroes on Wall Street, insiders who are willing to speak out against the injustice of the finance system.

When I share the mission of bringing nature connection and cultural mentoring to business leaders, there is a pause. It's something like, "There is no profit in that. You honestly expect the corporate world to be passionate caretakers of the earth and community?"

“At first what seems unsettling, the crack is actually a good thing”

I do. That's why reading about 12 wall street bankers supporting Bernie Sanders, who is proposing radical change in the financial system, tells me there are those who are ready everywhere. Why? Because fundamentally I know that we are all connected. I believe that as a species we even thrive on connection. By connectionI mean truly knowing myself, being aware and empathetic of others, and belonging to place through ongoing relationship with the natural world.

“At first what seems unsettling, the crack is actually a good thing”

For the most part, business has an enormous negative impact on the well being of earth and its inhabitants. It’s a symptom of a disconnected system. This article shows there is a crack. The truth is, there is a wide continuum of how people do business, from solopreneurs, SME's, B corps, green industry, non-profit organizations, government, to multi-national corporations. It's a complex environment and people are naturally diverse and innovative. I am interested in fostering a shift that allows the heroes in each of these places to stand up, speak out, and connect. I'm sending out a call to the potential connected leaders that lie dormant in the siloed monoculture world.

We may be operating in different business sectors, but we are all connected, like mycelium in the soil. What do I mean by that? For an example: Research has found that isolated Doug Fir saplings grown in low-light conditions at the interior of a forest will invariably die. But instead, they thrive.

How? An unseen network of fungi below the forest floor is interconnected with all the tree roots growing in its surroundings. This network, known as mycelium, acts as a kind of immune and circulatory system between the trees. It distributes nutrients from the large Firs to the surrounding young saplings until they are able to reach the light themselves. “Many of the world’s seedlings would not be able to survive if it weren’t for the lifeline this network provides.” It is a brilliant design for intergenerational success across family lines of individuals.

Hedge fund trader Jon Finkel, gets it. "There’s this idea that somehow there’s a disconnect between being in a profession where you’re going to be in a high tax bracket, like finance, and social justice … that’s sort of a fallacy." That’s getting the unseen connection that lies below the surface of everything.

As I speak to CEO’s and leaders in various business environments about re-establishing human and nature connection routines, I immediately hear about how disconnected the company work culture is. I hear, “I’m overwhelmed, unhealthy, and lost in my purpose. I can't do this to myself, to my family anymore, not like this. Something has to change." At first what seems unsettling, the crack is actually a good thing.

I encourage you to reach beyond the monoculture. Let me help you foster a resilient world by bringing diverse elements together with nature, company culture, and leadership development in business.

"There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." -Leonard Cohen

There is a Crack in Everything..