Book Review

Capitalism as if the World Matters
by Jonathan Porritt
Earthscan, 2006.

Submitted by George Starcher

Jonathan Porritt, advisor to business and government, and co-founder and programme director of Forum for the Future, the UK's leading sustainability charity, is one of Britain's most eminent environmentalists. His recent book, Capitalism as if the World Matters (Earthscan, 2006) is a significant contribution to sustainable development literature and it deserves the attention of business and political leaders on both sides of the Atlantic. By ignoring our rapidly declining natural resources and the very real limits to growth, leaders are failing to fulfil their responsibility for the well-being of future generations, for alleviating global poverty, and for reducing environmental degradation.

The author has masterfully highlighted two major environmental challenges: first, the biophysical limits to growth; and, second, the terrible damage to the human spirit from the pursuit of unbridled materialism. The only solution he sees to these challenges is a radical transformation of capitalism based on the intellectual foundation of sustainable development and its core values of interdependence, empathy, equity, personal responsibility, and intergenerational justice. While not underestimating the profound paradigm shift this transformation implies, the author insists that sustainable development provides the only intellectually coherent basis for transforming contemporary capitalism.

Where do we begin this process? First, education for sustainable development is absolutely at the heart of the transformation process. It is "as much a re-education of the heart... as the continuing education of the mind." Second, sustainable development must be convincingly marketed to large numbers of people in ways that put personal well-being and happiness at the heart of its offering. Third, the awareness of our individual and collective interdependence between ourselves and the natural world must become a vital issue in politics.
Other reviews of this significant book include comments such as the following:

"Here's a compelling book that should sound the trumpet for a whole new generation of engaged and optimistic young people..." David Puttman

"To renew and rebuild (our present civilization) we need to listen to the voices of the truly selfless and thoughtful individuals among us, and Jonathan Porritt is one of them." Jim Lovelock

"...if capitalism and the free market system cannot be bent toward sustainability - towards being part of the solution - then I believe there is no solution. Hence the importance of this book. Read it. " Lord May, President, The Royal Society

The Consultant's Calling
Geoffrey M. Bellman
Jossey-Bass, 2002

Submitted by François Couillard

Geoffrey Bellman addresses the "soft" human aspect of consulting. The book is an intimate dialogue with someone who has over 20 years of experience as an independent consultant. Consulting can be a calling. When done properly, an independent consulting career offers a wealth of opportunities to help organizations solve their problems and offers just as many opportunities to discover your true self and respond to your life's calling. A career in consulting can enhance life balance, personal growth and happiness.

The foreword by Peter Block is worth buying the book in itself. It is a short treatise in consulting philosophy. Here's a sample: "Consulting is more a human endeavor than a technical oneThe fundamental problem facing the consulting profession is that of integrity... congruence, ensuring that words and behavior are of one spirit is just what is too often missing in the consulting profession. The lack of integrity in consulting is of the nature that consultant exploit the client by serving their own economic self-esteem needs rather than place service to the client as the single-minded purpose of the engagement... we can make a living being a mainstream radical...the world is changed by those with radical hearts and pin-striped suits."

The concepts explored in this book will appeal to those who seek to create meaning in their work. Bellman suggests that, by responding to "the voice within that calls us to pursue meaning and purpose in our lives", we can find fulfillment in our work. For him success can be defined more broadly than within the confines of the marketplace. It should rather be defined within the boundaries of life itself. One of the most important themes of the book is the importance of being true to ourselves: "Consulting work is about succeeding as yourself." It's all about authenticity (this theme was central to Peter Block's classic book on consulting: "Flawless consulting").

Bellman takes a very pragmatic, realistic view of organizations. He invites us to be patient, tolerant as they are not perfect, nor will they ever be and decisions they make are rarely rational. He also provides some very practical hints on how to work with our clients. For example, he suggests that clear contracting is key to a successful partnership. He emphasizes the importance of simplifying our recommendations when implementing changes. "Simple works".

This is a book that will please those who seek to explore a career in consulting or who are already engaged in a career in this field and seek to refresh their perspective.