Balancing profit & purpose means looking beyond short-term financial gains. A business that focuses only on profit may grow quickly, but it often loses trust, people, & sustainability. Purpose, on the other hand, creates long-term value, it attracts loyal customers, motivates employees & builds strong partnerships. ESG helps companies grow responsibly by including social and environmental impact in decision-making. When profit follows purpose, the result is more sustainable, more human & more meaningful.
In reply to Premindra Karunaharan
Re: Balancing Profit with Purpose, My Reflection
by Leela Julong -
Premindra, I really like how you framed this. Profit without purpose can feel hollow, but when purpose leads, profit becomes more meaningful. ESG is powerful because it turns that idea into practice, making sure decisions reflect people, planet, and long-term resilience. In the end, it’s not just about growing a business, it’s about growing trust and impact that last.
In reply to Premindra Karunaharan
Re: Balancing Profit with Purpose, My Reflection
by Ravi Shankar NRK -
Many corporate leaders default to short-term profit focus because they are bound by quarterly reporting pressures, investor expectations, and performance metrics that reward immediate financial gains. This “quarterly capitalism” mindset often leaves little room for long-horizon thinking, even when long-term value creation is clearly more sustainable.
However, in chasing rapid returns, leaders frequently overlook profit with purpose—the strategic alignment of financial performance with employee well-being, societal impact, and responsible growth. This narrow focus can undermine workforce morale, erode stakeholder trust, and expose the organization to deeper systemic risks.
The companies that outperform over time are those that balance operational discipline with a clear commitment to people, planet, and long-term resilience. True leadership lies not in maximizing the next quarter’s earnings, but in building an enduring enterprise that benefits employees, customers, society—and ultimately, delivers far stronger and more sustainable profitability.
However, in chasing rapid returns, leaders frequently overlook profit with purpose—the strategic alignment of financial performance with employee well-being, societal impact, and responsible growth. This narrow focus can undermine workforce morale, erode stakeholder trust, and expose the organization to deeper systemic risks.
The companies that outperform over time are those that balance operational discipline with a clear commitment to people, planet, and long-term resilience. True leadership lies not in maximizing the next quarter’s earnings, but in building an enduring enterprise that benefits employees, customers, society—and ultimately, delivers far stronger and more sustainable profitability.
Great points Ravi. Thank you.