Dale Partridge’s “People Over Profit” is a profound exploration of the intersection between business success and ethical integrity. The book challenges the traditional profit-first mentality and encourages businesses to adopt a people-first approach. Partridge argues that corporations can achieve sustainable success by prioritizing people, purpose, and ethics over short-term gains. The book is divided into distinct sections, with concrete examples and actionable steps intertwined throughout.

Partridge outlines seven core beliefs that he considers essential for creating a successful and ethical business. These beliefs are Community, Transparency, Sustainability, Authenticity, Generosity, Vulnerability, and Humility. Each belief is elaborated on with practical examples and actions that can be taken to integrate these values into a business setting.

Belief: Strong communities are the backbone of successful businesses. A supportive environment fosters collaboration, innovation, and collective growth.

Example: Partridge discusses how the outdoor apparel company Patagonia involves its community in environmental activism. By hosting events and initiatives that align with their environmental mission, Patagonia strengthens its bond with customers and promotes a shared sense of purpose.

Action: Create community engagement programs within your business. This could include organizing local events, sponsoring community projects, or creating forums where customers and employees can interact and share ideas.

Belief: Transparency breeds trust. Open and honest communication can prevent misunderstandings and build a loyal customer base.

Example: Buffer, a social media management company, practices radical transparency by openly sharing their financials, including employee salaries, cash flow, and revenue. This openness encourages trust and engagement from both customers and employees.

Action: Implement open-book management practices where appropriate. Share key financial metrics with your employees and customers, and take steps to ensure that communication about business operations is clear and accessible.

Belief: Considering long-term impacts is key to genuine success. Businesses should strive to minimize their environmental footprint and act in ways that benefit future generations.

Example: Partridge highlights how IKEA has committed to sourcing all its cotton and wood from sustainable sources. They also invest in renewable energy, aiming to produce as much as they consume by 2020.

Action: Conduct an environmental audit of your business operations. Identify areas where you can reduce waste, increase recycling, or switch to renewable energy sources, and set specific sustainability goals.

Belief: Authentic brands resonate more deeply with customers. Being genuine fosters real connections and customer loyalty.

Example: TOMS Shoes’ one-for-one model, where a pair of shoes is donated for every pair sold, exemplifies authenticity. The mission-driven approach aligns closely with their brand identity and resonates emotionally with customers.

Action: Reflect on your company’s core values and ensure that your actions and messaging are aligned with these values. Share stories about your company’s mission and impact authentically through marketing channels.

Belief: Generosity not only feels good but also brings tangible business benefits. By giving back, companies can foster goodwill and positive brand association.

Example: Salesforce’s 1-1-1 model, where they commit 1% of their equity, 1% of employees’ time, and 1% of products to philanthropic efforts, demonstrates corporate generosity and instills a culture of giving.

Action: Develop a corporate giving program. Identify charitable causes that align with your company’s values and encourage employees to participate in volunteer work.

Belief: Embracing vulnerability can lead to stronger connections and more authentic leadership. It requires courage but pays dividends in trust and loyalty.

Example: Brene Brown’s research on vulnerability, which Partridge references, shows that leaders who are willing to admit their mistakes and uncertainties are more respected and trusted.

Action: Practice open communication about challenges and failures. Encourage a culture where employees feel safe to express their vulnerabilities and learn from them.

Belief: Humility in leadership fosters a culture of respect and continuous learning. It helps in recognizing the contributions of others and valuing diverse perspectives.

Example: Partridge talks about the founder of Chick-fil-A, Truett Cathy, whose humble approach and emphasis on serving others set a tone of respect and resulted in a highly motivated and loyal workforce.

Action: Adopt a servant leadership approach. Regularly acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of others, and make a conscious effort to listen and learn from everyone in the organization.

Partridge also outlines the cyclical phases businesses typically go through, which he calls Honesty, Efficiency, Deception, and Crisis. Understanding these phases can help businesses maintain ethical focus and avoid the pitfalls of success.

In this initial phase, businesses are transparent, customer-focused, and aligned with their core values. They emphasize building trust and fulfilling their mission authentically.

Action: Regularly revisit and reaffirm your company’s mission and values. Ensure that these guide every business decision and practice.

As businesses grow, operational efficiency often becomes a priority. While this can drive profitability, it’s important not to lose sight of ethical considerations.

Action: Balance efficiency efforts with ethical standards by incorporating checks and balances that ensure practices remain aligned with corporate values.

Businesses in this phase may begin to prioritize profit over people, leading to short-term gains but long-term risks. This phase is characterized by cutting corners, dishonesty, and loss of trust.

Action: Establish strict ethical guidelines and accountability measures to prevent unethical behavior. Encourage a culture where employees feel empowered to speak up against practices that compromise integrity.

Inevitably, deceptive practices lead to crises that can tarnish reputations and jeopardize business continuity. Companies must then work to regain trust and realign with their mission.

Action: If facing a crisis, respond with transparency and accountability. Take immediate and visible steps to correct the issues and rebuild trust with stakeholders.

Partridge implores leaders to reject the toxic “profit over people” mentality and instead champion integrity, respect, and purpose. By doing so, companies can not only achieve long-term profitability but also contribute positively to society.

Partridge references leaders like Howard Schultz of Starbucks, who prioritized employee benefits such as health insurance and college tuition reimbursement, thereby fostering a loyal and motivated workforce.

Action: Develop employee-centric policies that prioritize their well-being and professional growth. Regularly solicit and act on employee feedback to ensure their needs are met.

Purpose is a recurring theme in “People Over Profit.” Businesses that have a clear, purpose-driven mission tend to attract and retain dedicated customers and employees who share that vision.

Action: Define a clear, purpose-driven mission for your business. Communicate this purpose consistently across all levels of the organization and ensure it informs every business strategy and action.

Changing corporate culture isn’t an overnight process but involves consistent effort and commitment from leadership at all levels. The transition to a people-first approach requires robust support systems and a clear vision.

Action: Initiate cultural transformation programs within your company. This might include training sessions on ethical practices, workshops on corporate values, or setting up committees to oversee cultural alignment.

Dale Partridge’s “People Over Profit” provides a compelling blueprint for creating businesses that are both successful and socially responsible. By embracing the core beliefs of Community, Transparency, Sustainability, Authenticity, Generosity, Vulnerability, and Humility, companies can cultivate a corporate culture that values people over profits. Through practical examples and actionable steps, Partridge shows that ethical business practices not only build trust and loyalty but also drive enduring success.

By breaking away from the traditional profit-at-all-costs mindset and adopting a people-first approach, businesses are not just creating better workplaces but also contributing positively to society. This shift requires courage, consistency, and a deep-seated commitment to ethical principles, but the rewards—both moral and financial—are well worth the effort.