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Flourishing > Surviving with Dr. Chris Laszlo

Flourishing > Surviving with Dr. Chris Laszlo

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 In this episode, Jeff Bloomfield sits down with Dr. Chris Laszlo—professor, author, and co-founder of the Global Consciousness Institute—to explore a transformative new approach to business leadership. Drawing on decades of research and deep personal reflection, Dr. Laszlo challenges the narrow focus on profit and “sustainability” in favor of something richer: human and organizational flourishing. He introduces concepts from his book Quantum Leadership and shares why a leader’s inner world—how they connect with self, others, nature, and transcendence—may hold the key to long-term impact, innovation, and success. If you're a business leader or executive struggling to align purpose with performance, this episode is a must. Laszlo unpacks how emotional connectedness and daily practices rooted in neuroscience, not spreadsheets, create the foundation for true, regenerative leadership. His insights are especially valuable for C-suite leaders, coaches, and culture builders who want to move beyond compliance checklists and unlock real transformation. Sustainability ≠ Flourishing: Laszlo distinguishes between surviving (sustainability) and thriving (flourishing), calling for a more ambitious goal for business. Origin in Philosophy: His father, renowned systems philosopher Ervin Laszlo, sparked early reflections on systems, ethics, and purpose. Early Wake-Up Call: As a teen at a wealthy boarding school, Laszlo realized the disconnect between privilege and global inequality—igniting a lifelong purpose. Economics with a Conscience: Frustrated by ethics being an afterthought in business, he asked: “Why can’t doing good be profitable?” Flourishing Requires Inner Transformation: Real change in organizations must begin with how leaders are, not just what they do. Four Connections Matter: Lasting impact comes from daily practices that connect leaders to self, others, nature, and the transcendent. It’s Not About Time—It’s About Intent: You don’t need more hours—just more awareness in how you run meetings, lead conversations, and engage others. Quantum Science Meets Leadership: Emerging science supports the interconnectedness of all things, providing a scientific foundation for humanistic leadership. Daily Practices Matter: Laszlo identified over 110 “connectedness practices”—from running to music to mindful meetings—that enhance leadership capacity. The Future Is Conscious: Through his nonprofit (GCI.Earth), Laszlo works to scale practices that elevate global consciousness in business and beyond. 00:00 – Jeff sets the stage: leadership, communication, and purpose 04:24 – Chris’s intro and worldview on business as a force for good 06:17 – Chris's origin story: systems philosophy and a call to make a difference 12:00 – Economic education vs. ethical purpose: the inner conflict 18:28 – Redefining “sustainability” as “flourishing” 23:00 – Neuroscience of emotions: positive attractors, stress, and connectedness 26:00 – Leadership research: over 100 practices of connected CEOs 32:00 – 4 types of connectedness: self, others, nature, transcendence 39:00 – Quantum leadership and global consciousness 43:00 – AI, consciousness, and humanity’s next frontier 46:00 – Resources, books, and ways to connect with Chris 📘 Quantum Leadership (Stanford University Press, 2019) 📄 Business and Society Review (2025 Open Source Article) 🌐 Global Consciousness Institute – https://gci.earth Why You Should ListenTop 10 TakeawaysChapter MarkingsMentioned Resources & Links💼 Contact Chris on LinkedIn or via email: chris.laszlo@case.edu
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