Some weeks ago LC and WHU hosted their fifth virtual conference: the Open University on the topic of “Organizational Purpose: Opportunity or Opportunism?”. One of the major highlights was a panel discussion with four high caliber Guests.
Together, Judith Hübner, VP Human Resources and Corporate Affairs
at Sasol, Zoe Cohen, Coach & Activist with Extinction Rebellion UK, Christoph Waffenschmidt, CEO of World Vision Germany and Anja Wassertheurer Head of Product- and Corporate Communication at Porsche discuss the purpose of their companies, what humans really need and what we can do to avoid reaching the tipping point.
- Judith Hübner introduces herself and her company Sasol (4:00)
- Christoph Waffenschmidt introduces himself and his company World Vision (5:50)
- Anja introduces herself and her company Porsche (7:10)
- Zoe Cohen introduces herself and Extinction rebellion (9:00)
- Christoph Waffenschmidt answers the question how he would articulate the purpose of his organization (11:06)
- Judith Hübner talks about the purpose of Sasol (14:08)
- Anja Wassertheurer tells us about the purpose of Porsche (19:15)
- Zoe Cohen tells us what is driving her and Extinction Rebellion (21:55)
- Zoe draws attention to Elephant in the room “Purpose has to sit in the context of reality!” She points out that owning a car is not a human right. (23:33)
- Anja says why companies like Porsche are still important. (27:21)
- Judith thinks about why Sasol is important and what all needs to be changed. (29:15)
- Christoph talks about the challenges of purpose based organization (31:20)
- Anja talks about why people like to identify with the Porsche brand (35:50)
- Zoe talking about why non-violent direct action can risk arrest and how she was arrested last week (41:00)
- Christoph tells us what corporate organizations can learn from World Vision (44:45)
- Judith Hübner explains why everybody can learn something from everything (48:08)
- Anja answers the question if coaches are allowed to draw attention to environmental issues or if they have to stay neutral. (50:25)
- Judith Hübner tells us why she thinks it is a human right to ask this questions (53:55)
- Christoph asks Anja what she thinks in 5 years will be the strategy for an organization like Porsche. (56:27)
- Anja asks Zoe: What was your career? (58:57)
- Zoe asks everybody: What might be the role of your organization in 2030, when we know we gone past the tipping points? (1:01:30)
- Bernhard Broekman reflects on a whitepaper to coach responsibility (1:05:30)
- Arlette Hernánd talks about uniting different perspectives (1:06:00)
- Nathan Stuck says everybody plays an important role (1:09:15)
- Hans Werner Wurzel says he is frustrated and that we have to do more (1:11:20)
- Robert Stulle tells us there is no point in blaming but in observing: why do we need a Porsche? Why do we need this symbol? (1:12:45)
- Zoe Cohen tells us that there are so many other ways of being and that we have to take action! (1:14:45)
What are your reflections? Feel free to write us your thoughts. We also welcome your suggestions for inspiring guests at Leaders Talk.
Guests: Judith Hübner, Zoe Cohen, Christoph Waffenschmidt and Anja Wassertheurer
Production & Editorial: Hannah Jandl & Daniela Magnani Hüller
Research & Preparation: Tabea Zeller & Lena Wokurka