June: Herman Miller – a Conscious Capitalist Company

I’d estimate half the S&P 500 embrace important aspects of Conscious Capitalism. Maybe 50 or so excel on numerous fronts. Among them is super-green Herman Miller — which introduced participatory management in the 1950s! — and wins diversity awards today. “Miller” as insiders call the company consistently hits lists like Business Ethics “100 Top Corporate Citizens,” the “Sustainable Business 20” and Fortune’s “Most Admired.” So when Herman Miller invited me to speak to their customers, staff and guests at the big NEOCON (Nope, nothing political. It’s all about furniture) show at the Chicago Merchandise Mart, I thought “It doesn’t get any better than this.”

Except it did. Because the company also invited me to a “get to know you” visit to their Zeeland, Michigan headquarters, two buildings of which are LEED Gold certified. Not surprisingly, Herman Miller’s own offices exemplify the company’s commitment to dazzling beauty while honoring the human body with high touch ergonomics. I met wonderful people including several top women executives I hope to get to know better.

Working with a company of “Miller’s” caliber helped clarify my next project, a study of the “Practice of Conscious Capitalism,” that is how companies weave the principles of spirituality and stakeholder capitalism into day-to-day business.