Prosperity: Better Business Makes the Greater Good

Let us begin our journey with a gentle breath, as dawn breaks over a world in search of meaning. Prosperity, in its truest sense, is not a mere accumulation of riches but a tapestry woven from purpose, dignity, and shared well-being. Imagine a city where business is not just a machine for profit, but a living force, nourishing the roots of community and the branches of the future. In the earliest pages, we are reminded of Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess who embodies both wealth and the wisdom to use it well. Her presence signals that prosperity is about knowing and understanding our purpose—an idea as old as civilization itself.

Yet, in recent decades, a shadow has crept over this vision. The doctrine of maximizing shareholder value—a creed less than half a century old—has come to dominate boardrooms and business schools. It whispers that the only duty of a corporation is to its owners, and that profit is the highest good. But let us pause and ask: is this the world we wish to inhabit? The evidence is all around us—inequality, environmental harm, and a growing distrust of business. The chorus of voices calling for change grows louder each year.

In this section, we gently unpick the myth that profit alone defines prosperity. We see that the corporation, at its best, is a creator of wealth for all—a provider of jobs, innovations, and hope. But when its purpose is narrowed to profit, it becomes a source of division and decline. The book shares stories of companies that have lost their way, chasing short-term gains at the expense of trust and sustainability. Yet, it also offers hope, showing that when businesses rediscover their purpose, they can heal communities and restore faith in the future.

As we close this opening chapter, let us carry forward the idea that prosperity is a journey, not a destination—a path we walk together, guided by purpose and care for one another. In the next section, we will explore how values and integrity breathe life into this journey, turning purpose into action and trust into lasting change.