Business Quote by John E. Mackey
““Businesses must view people not as resources but as sources.16 A resource is like a lump of coal; you use it and it’s gone. A source is like the sun—virtually inexhaustible and continually generating energy, light, and warmth. There is no more powerful source of creative energy in the world than a turned-on, empowered human being. A conscious business energizes and empowers people and engages their best contribution in service of its noble higher purposes. By doing so, a business has a profoundly positive net impact on the world. We””
About This Quote
Source Book: Conscious Capitalism, 2015
People are limitless sources of energy when empowered, unlike finite resources.
In simple terms: Empowered people generate ongoing creative energy.
Key Takeaway
Treat employees as sources, not resources.
Themes
leadership
empowerment
human potential
business ethics
sustainability
Mood
optimistic
inspirational
Type
philosophical
advice
When to use this quote
- corporate culture
- nonprofit leadership
- team building
- innovation labs
Key Concepts
Humanistic management
psychological safety
intrinsic motivation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can leaders shift from resource to source thinking?
- What practices sustain employee empowerment?
A Different Perspective
Changing mindset across large organizations can be slow.
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![“If the State does not acquire supremacy over [vast private] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bad/bertrand-russell-69_acquire_if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy_1379.jpg)