There’s a misconception that capitalism equals greed and self-interest. Sure, that might have been true in the past, especially with the rise of Milton Friedman’s “profit first” philosophy. But today, we see more and more companies proving that capitalism can—and should—be a force for good. It can benefit everyone—employees, customers, and yes, even shareholders.

Capitalism the Amare Way: Leading with Purpose, People, and Profit

Healthy capitalism is not at all about disregarding profit. It is about seeing profit as the natural byproduct of fulfilling your purpose and doing good in the world. Amare leaders understand that profit is good and necessary, and  that it requires shaping a future where you prioritize long-term relationships and sustainability over short-term gains. 

Leaders like John Mackey (Whole Foods), Patrice Banks (Girls Auto Clinic), Yvon Chouinard (Patagonia), Alan Mulally (Ford and Boeing Commercial Airplanes), and Matt O’Hayer (Vital Farms) have shown us that when you lead with love and integrity, you can make good business even better.

Creating a Wave of Change

We have the power to change how business is done, even when the world feels uncertain and political divides are growing. Healthy capitalism isn’t just a lofty goal, it exists—and your small actions, all of our small actions, can help make it the norm. 

• Will you imagine healthy capitalism taking hold in your organization?

• What can your business do to make the world a little better?

• How does that align with your purpose, people, and profits?

5 Amare Ways to Practice Healthy Capitalism

1. Clarify your purpose and values. Start by making sure your company’s mission is clear—and, more importantly, aligned with the needs of the world around you. This is both your foundation and your north star.

2. People and profit. Be sure what you say about your people and about profit match the decisions you make and are consistent with your personal and company values. Do not be a leader that says one thing and does another.

3. Start somewhere, however small. Take small steps every day to lead with purpose. For example, switch to eco-friendly packaging, increase transparency in company communications, or organize team-building activities to boost morale. The key is consistency and celebrating even the smallest wins.

4. Acknowledge today’s realities and business history. Let’s face it: capitalism has a long history of greed-driven decisions, and the world is a messy place right now. Acknowledge that. And take action.

5. Prioritize relationships over transactions. Capitalism is about more than just transactions—it’s about relationships. Ask yourself, “How will this decision affect the relationships with my team, my customers, and my suppliers?” It’s not just about the numbers; it’s about how you build trust and authenticity.

You Got This! One Conscious Decision at a Time

You might not be able to single-handedly change the world overnight, but healthy capitalism starts with you—and the decisions you make today. Don’t let the challenges overwhelm you. Change happens one conscious decision at a time.

Lead with love, prioritize long-term relationships, and aim for sustainable success. Even if you’re just starting small, you can create a wave of positive change that not only benefits your business but the world at large. So go for it—inspire action, lead boldly, and make Amare love-powered leadership the norm. It’s time for capitalism to evolve, and it starts with us. And that includes YOU!

Inspire Your Team to Put the Power of Love to Work

I do powerful keynotes and retreats centered on creating love-powered organizations, and helping teams take that first step together. For more info, contact me here.

Today’s Amare Wave Wednesday Quote

“It’s time to pull back the curtain on business and expose it for what it really is: the most powerful force for good that exists in modern society.” 

— Moshe Engelberg, in The Amare Wave: Uplift Your Business by Putting Love to Work 

Click here and read more Amare Wave Wednesday newsletters on related topics:

Capitalism the Amare Way!

The Lure of Big Money: When Investor Funding Requires Compromising Your Values

Are You Here for the World? How to Stay On Purpose in Challenging Times

Leadership Lessons From Vital Farms’ Stakeholder-Centric Success

Grow Big–But Not Too Big! The Contradictory Signals of Business Culture and How to Lead Through It