Holistic Impact

ONE

INTRODUCTION: UNLEASHING CONSCIOUS LEADERSHIP.

SETTING THE STAGE FOR TRANSFORMATION

In the vibrant landscape of business and leadership, there exists an innovative initiative that seeks to unveil the torchbearers of conscious, ethical leadership and their organizations. It is the annual Conscious Companies Award in South Africa – a cherished accolade that honors and reveres visionary leaders. These leaders grasp the profound significance of conscious leadership as a way of life, both in the realm of business and in the broader world. They are individuals whose very essence, purpose, humanity, and sense of responsibility ripple through their organizations, creating a transformative impact.

I vividly recall the moment when Saint Francis, our Head of Corporate Affairs, walked into my office with a surprising announcement: I had been nominated for the Conscious Companies Leadership Award. It was an unexpected turn of events, yet it struck a resonant chord deep within me. The topic of conscious leadership was close to my heart, and the esteemed jury, led by the venerable Judge Professor Mervyn E. King, added to the intrigue. As I greenlit the process, the journey began with a deluge of documentation about our company and its evolution over the years. It was followed by candid phone interviews and on-camera discussions. No scripted answers, just my unfiltered perspective on leadership and company stewardship.

Several months into this transformative odyssey, I received an invitation to the Conscious Companies 2021 Awards night. Seated at table number one, in the heart of Melrose Arch, Rosebank, South Africa, I was surrounded by fascinating individuals. The evening unfolded, a tapestry of inspiring stories, revealing leaders who had left an indelible mark not only within their organizations but in the communities and societies they touched – leaders who were consciously humanizing business.

And then, the moment of truth arrived: And the winner is... Bruno Olierhoek, please come to the stage.

It was a proud moment, not just for me but for my entire team, many of whom were watching the event online. The bright lights shone on us, but what was most illuminating was the sight of fellow South African leaders rising to their feet, applauding the message of conscious leadership. It was a moment that required time to fully absorb.

Days later, as I reflected on this achievement, I realized that while consciousness and conscious leadership are terms widely acknowledged, few of us have delved deeply into their profound implications. So, I had won, and with it, a place on the Conscious Companies Council. A genuine honor. I was now poised to contribute to the noble cause of spreading consciousness in the world. To do so, I needed answers to fundamental questions: What is consciousness? What is my role in it? How conscious a leader have I been, and how can I further my journey as a conscious leader? These questions percolated within me, leading to an influx of queries: Why isn’t consciousness better understood? Why isn’t it a more prominent subject in the business world? Why does it sometimes seem fluffy when, in reality, it is not?

As the newest member of the Conscious Companies Council, I was invited to speak at the Annual Conscious Leadership Summit in 2022. This opportunity compelled me to crystallize my thoughts on conscious leadership in a concise format. My allotted ten minutes became a springboard for profound discussions, igniting the spark that would eventually lead to this book.

In the process of writing, I discovered that my drive and motivation have always transcended the boundaries of organizational objectives. I’ve harnessed the company’s resources to serve a personal purpose that aligns with the greater purpose of the organization. I am intrinsically motivated to make a positive impact not only for the company but also for the world at large. This intrinsic motivation mirrors the spirit I observe in today’s youth, the next generation of leaders. They hunger for knowledge, and they are committed to taking action to shape the world. This book is primarily for these forward-thinking leaders.

For me, doing business and my career as an international expatriate have always been a means to an end, a journey to explore the world’s diversity. Every country, each with its unique stars, landscapes, wildlife, food, culture, and perspectives, has allowed me to continually question my identity and the world. It has inspired me to taste the world, to immerse myself fully, to experience and live consciously, to be present in the now, to be kind, and to do good. Working as an expat in a multinational with a noble purpose perfectly aligned with this aspiration. Over the years, I’ve strived to seize every opportunity to embrace life and make the most of the sights and experiences.

I’ve always been an active and entrepreneurial individual, both in my professional and personal life. My driving force has been to explore the world actively, to make things happen, and to contribute positively to society’s challenges. This has led me to initiatives that hold meaningful impacts and the potential for global scalability. As an international executive, I’ve been privileged to work across diverse markets in Asia, Europe, and Africa. I’ve served as the Chairman and CEO of Nestlé for the East and Southern Africa Region (ESAR) and as the CEO of Nestlé Pakistan. My journey in Pakistan included the role of President of the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce & Industry, representing 191 international companies from 35 countries. Throughout my career, I’ve been immersed in the multifaceted world of business and leadership, consistently pursuing lasting change.

In my quest to drive holistic impact, I’ve delved into unique business models and initiatives, aiming to benefit not just the company but also communities and the planet. Initiatives such as RE2AL (Realizing Empowered and Enabled African Livelihoods), ZiWeb (Zimbabwe Women Empowered in Business), and using spent coffee grounds to grow oyster mushrooms are examples that showcase how business can be a force for good. These initiatives garnered recognition and media attention, but they were products of a long and transformative journey – a journey I’m eager to share. It has led me to a way of doing business that results in a real win-win-win scenario: a win for the business, a win for communities, and a win for the planet.

Doubt and uncertainty are constants in life, and I’ve had my share. These moments of hesitation can be especially profound during one’s teenage years. Currently, I have three teenagers of my own, and I’ve consistently encouraged them to embrace these moments. Early in my life, I adopted the habit of uprooting myself and my family every three to five years, moving across continents from Europe to South-East Asia, back to Europe, to Central Africa, to South Asia, to Southern and East Africa and finally to our current base in the UAE in the Middle-East. These experiences have been a blessing, shaping not only my family’s understanding but also revealing patterns in life. They have empowered me to create a model for holistic impact, generating value for shareholders, creating jobs, uplifting communities, and restoring nature simultaneously.

The thought often arises: Is there anything truly new under the sun? For years, I wrestled with the notion of original thinking and hesitated to write a book. Then, I came across a powerful idea – that all art is theft, as articulated by Pablo Picasso. This notion liberated me to share my thoughts and perspectives more freely. In this book, I aim to reflect on my past, distill my learnings, shed light on the world’s challenges, and engage in conversations about the future while remaining grounded in the present.

In a recent interview, I was asked, What is the one thing you wish somebody had told you when you were starting out? My response was simple: You have to learn to trust the Universe.

A conversation with Brenda Kali, the CEO of Conscious Company, further nudged me toward writing this book. It’s a challenging endeavor, but I’ve decided to heed my own advice and trust the Universe. As Kierkegaard wisely noted, to dare is to risk one’s footing, to not dare is to risk losing oneself.

I’ve always had two projects on my to do list that I kept procrastinating: writing a book and creating a website for my photography. Over the years, I’ve accumulated a treasure trove of photographs, capturing the rich tapestry of the world. While writing sometimes feels like rambling, photographs have a unique power to tell a story that leaves ample room for interpretation. They are, in essence, a form of high-context language. Books, on the other hand, tend to present the author’s perspective in a low-context manner. I’ve always found greater resonance in the freedom that images offer, unburdened by the judgments that can sometimes accompany words.

My unwavering curiosity, my hunger for learning, and my natural inclination for exploration have guided me to where I stand today. The Universe has orchestrated my journey, placing me precisely where I need to be.

My life’s path has been instrumental in shaping me. While the world grapples with myriad challenges, I remain grateful for the opportunity to explore, experience, and become a part of it. The experiences have formed an internal compass that informs my choices, no matter how messy life may be. It’s not a dogmatic statement of purpose but a feeling that serves as my guiding star. More than ever, I’ve started to listen to my body, to trust my instincts and gut, as much as I do my intellect and mind.

Before we dive deeper, I want to acknowledge that as I penned this book and looked back on my life, I may occasionally sound as if I had always been clear about my path. However, there’s a fascinating concept called the illusion of continuity, which posits that we don’t truly know what our future selves desire. Embracing this dilemma, I endorse three pieces of advice: Be Curious, Stay Humble in your communication, and Be Courageous in your pursuits. They have the power to shape your future self and help you adapt as you grow older and gain more life experiences.

After almost three decades in the corporate world, I continue to believe in the power of business as a force for good. However, not all leadership teams and CEOs know where or how to start becoming a more conscious company. I therefore decided, after my experiences as an international expat across different continents, it was time to channel my energy and passion into setting up my consultancy and advisory company in Dubai, named Ubuntu. My mission was clear: to assist leadership teams and CEOs embark on a holistic business transformation journey, embedding digital, sustainability, circularity, and ESG principles at the heart of their business models. I believe that my experience and life journey as captured in this book can be a catalyst for change creating a WIN-WIN-WIN for companies, communities, and the planet.

TWO

THE URGENCY OF CHANGE: NAVIGATING SUSTAINABLE TRANSFORMATION

CRITICAL OBSERVATIONS AND WAKE-UP CALLS

In a world teetering on the brink of transformation, where the winds of progress and the turbulence of crisis converge, the case for change stands as the rallying cry of our time. The old paradigms are crumbling, their foundations weakened by the relentless march of time and the echoes of a planet yearning for renewal. We find ourselves at the crossroads of history, where the choices we make will ripple through generations, reshaping not only our businesses but the very essence of our world.

In the cocoon of complacency, where the echoes of outdated dogmas and unsustainable practices still resonate, we confront a stark truth: the business as usual model, rooted in the exploitation of finite resources for infinite growth (and ever increasing