The Rise of Healing Organisations: A New Business Paradigm

Summary

Healing organisations prioritise stakeholder well-being while pursuing sustainable success. This model challenges traditional profit-centred approaches by integrating compassion, non-judgemental support, purpose, and environmental stewardship into core business operations.

Introduction

This morning my stepbrother, knowing that I would be fascinated by anything that would help my Camino de Santiago Walking retreat guests get more from their hiking adventure, sent me a link to a website called Walking Well. It’s a shop window for a book called “Walking Well: A New Approach for Comfort, Vitality, and Inspiration in Every Step” by Michael J. Gelb and Bruce Fertman.

Sally Helgesen, author of “The Female Advantage” and “Rising Together” said of this book, “Walking Well helped me to relearn a fundamental skill that’s been diminished by multiple surgeries over the past two years. This has improved my confidence and balance while offering me a pathway to more robust health. I especially love the animal imagery — so vivid and practical. “

Definitely a book I need to read.

A Revelation

I scrolled down the home page and at the very bottom, I found a short 5-minute video called “The Healing Organisation” – about how we can make a difference by helping organisations cultivate a higher purpose.

It resonated so loudly that it literally knocked me for SIX.

It’s about another book, “The Healing Organisation: Awakening the Conscience of Business to Help Save the World” by Raj Sisodia and Michael J. Gelb.

Deepak Chopra said of this book, “The Healing Organisation is based on a simple, profound revelation: Businesses that operate from love and make human flourishing their first priority will enrich the lives of all their stakeholders, generate more sustainable abundance, and can help solve many of our current crises.”

On the point of upgrading my business in this very direction, I could not have come across the video at a better time.

The role of business owners has evolved. It’s no longer just about achieving financial success or dominating your industry. Today, it is also about making a lasting impact, having the influence to inspire positive change, and enjoying the financial rewards that come from authentically leading with integrity.

In my humble opinion.

What exactly is a “Healing” Business?

A “healing” business or entity that prioritises the well-being, growth, and support of its employees, customers, and the broader community as a core mission. It strives to create a positive impact on people’s lives and the environment while pursuing sustainable success. The term often refers to businesses that integrate values of kindness, compassion, and purpose into their operations, challenging traditional profit-centred models.

Key Characteristics of a Healing Business

1. Purpose-Driven Leadership
   Business owners focus on making a meaningful difference, prioritising service to others over purely financial metrics.
2. People-Centered Practices
   Policies are designed to nurture owners’ and employees’ physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Examples include flexible work arrangements, mental health support, and personal development programs.
3. Ethical Operations
   Decisions are guided by moral and ethical considerations, including fair labour practices, sustainability, and transparency.
4. Community Engagement
   Healing businesses actively support their communities by addressing social challenges, contributing to public well-being, and facilitating inclusivity.
5. Environmental Stewardship
   These businesses are committed to protecting the environment through sustainable practices and reducing their negative ecological impact.
6. Systems of Support
   They increase their employees’ and clients’ resilience by providing tools, resources, and a supportive environment that generates growth during challenges.

By being a healing organisation, a business can achieve sustainable success while deeply enriching the lives of its customers and stakeholders and contributing positively to society.

Examples of Healing Organisations

Some suggested real-world examples of companies that have successfully transformed into healing organisations, as described in The Healing Organization by Raj Sisodia and Michael Gelb or related sources:

1. LifeGuides – A Public Benefit Corporation that connects people in need with those who can help, fostering healing and support for individuals.
2. FIFCO – A Costa Rican beverage company that shifted its focus to sustainability and social responsibility, making bold commitments to reduce water, carbon, and waste footprints.
3. IFlatiron Health – A healthcare tech company organizing cancer data to improve patient care and accelerate research.
4. Patagonia – A leader in environmental sustainability, focusing on reducing its ecological footprint while promoting employee well-being.
5. DTE Energy – Transformed its business model to focus on renewable energy and community engagement, creating a positive impact on stakeholders.

Starting with Sustainability

I have made sustainability a cornerstone of my Camino de Santiago walking retreat business right from the start, opting to run smaller retreats that would cause less damage to the environment, especially on the Camino, while at the same time contributing to the local community’s economy.

Also, I feel more like the custodian than the owner of my little French farmhouse here in the southwest of France – I feel very privileged to live here. As its custodian, my intention is to look after it to the very best of my ability and to preserve it for generations to come. In the meantime, I share the exceptional natural beauty, the rich cultural heritage and the nurturing tranquillity of my house with my guests without harming the natural environment and helping environmentally aware local producers at the same time.

How Can a Solopreneur Build a Healing Organisation?

Yes, even a one-person business can become a healing force! It’s all about your approach and the heart you put into your work. Now that I’m starting my Infinite Impact Mentoring program, my plan is to make it a healing force by focusing on the following key aspects:

1. Creating a clear mission statement with the clear purpose of helping others overcome major life challenges: Mission Statement Infinite Impact Mentoring: “To empower clients to transcend success, discover their purpose and add meaning to their lives. Through tailored mentoring, I guide them to align their ambitions with their values, cultivate resilience, and create an impactful legacy that resonates far beyond personal achievement.” Still working on it
2. Prioritising authentic human connections by creating opportunities for meaningful interactions with clients and by using technology to facilitate connections rather than replace them.
3. Offering transformative services and products that promote holistic well-being. This will include courses, coaching, mentoring and digital products aimed at personal development.
4. Practising regular self-care and mental health awareness by acknowledging the importance of my own well-being. I learned this the hard way.
5. Supporting my community I have chosen to work with and donate to charities close to my heart: the L’Association Française de Thérapie Assistée par l’Animal (AFTAA) which promotes animal-assisted therapy, including equine therapy, to support individuals facing psychological and emotional challenges, I am a member of the board of Les Amis de Abbaye de Flaran, which works to valorise and maintain this 800-year-old Cistercian abbey on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, and I am a volunteer at the local branch of the Order of Malta in France which provides comprehensive humanitarian services including healthcare, social assistance, emergency relief, food aid, and support for vulnerable populations, managing numerous facilities and mobilizing over 12,700 volunteers nationwide.
6. Continuously educating myself, learning from experience, keeping abreast of the latest developments in my field and adapting my approach to better serve my clients.
7. Aligning my business practices with my values: The plan is to ensure that all aspects of my business, from marketing to delivery, reflect my mission and ethical standards.

By implementing these strategies, any solopreneur can create a business that not only provides valuable services but also contributes to the overall well-being of clients and the broader community.

At the end of the day, being a solopreneur doesn’t mean you can’t make a big impact. With the right mindset and actions, your business can be a place where real transformation happens—not just for your clients, but for you and your community as well.

Examples of Solopreneurs’ Healing Businesses

Some suggested real-world examples of solopreneurs with healing organisations:

1. Sara Jones, founder of Sparkle – Sara transformed her digital marketing agency into a healing organization by incorporating energy healing practices. She offered regular healing sessions and workshops for employees, boosting morale and performance while attracting more clients and increasing revenue.
2. David Lee, co-founder of InnoTech – David applied energy healing techniques to his software development process, visualizing outcomes and tapping into intuition. This led to breakthrough products, awards, and a culture of innovation within his company.
3. Lily Chen, founder of Bloom – Lily used energy healing to overcome personal challenges and launch a successful online platform connecting women entrepreneurs. She offers free healing sessions and workshops to support her community members.
4. Tim Emerson, founder of Kwan Yin Healing – Tim created a niche “Healing for Healers” program, offering targeted support and tools for other healers. This approach led to significant growth in his client base, online engagement, and media coverage.
5. Pieter Levels – While not explicitly focused on healing, Levels’ solopreneur journey demonstrates the power of experimentation and adaptation. His project Nomad List became a successful platform supporting digital nomads worldwide.

These examples highlight how solopreneurs can integrate healing practices into their businesses, leading to personal growth, increased success, and a positive impact on their communities.

FAQ about Healing Organisations

How can customers support Healing Organisations?

By choosing to buy from businesses that demonstrate ethical practices, sustainability, and a commitment to societal well-being. Their purchasing power encourages more businesses to adopt healing principles and drives broader change across industries.

Can a Healing Organisation still be profitable?

Yes, Healing Organisations are often more profitable in the long run because they inspire loyalty, creativity, and trust among employees and customers. By aligning their purpose with the greater good, they create a sustainable model of success that results in financial health while contributing to societal and environmental well-being.

Can small businesses or startups become Healing Organisations?

Absolutely. Healing Organisations are not defined by size or industry but by their intent and actions. Small businesses can implement healing principles by creating a purpose-driven culture, treating employees and customers with respect, and actively contributing to their communities.

How can a Healing Organisation measure its success beyond profit?

Success in a Healing Organisation is measured through a broader lens, including metrics such as employee well-being, customer satisfaction, community impact, environmental sustainability, and the organisation’s contribution to alleviating societal suffering. These indicators show how the business positively transforms lives.

What challenges do Healing Organisations face?

Challenges include resistance to change, balancing short-term financial pressures with long-term purpose, and overcoming scepticism from traditional business leaders or shareholders. However, clear communication of the benefits and demonstrating success through small wins can help overcome these obstacles.

How can a business transition to becoming a Healing Organisation?

The transition begins with a commitment from the business owner to embrace purpose-driven change. Steps include redefining the organisation’s mission, creating a caring workplace culture, aligning policies with healing principles, and engaging all stakeholders in co-creating a vision for positive impact.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re running a Fortune 500 company or working solo from your home office, you can make a real difference while building a thriving enterprise. The key isn’t in perfect execution, but in taking that first step – maybe it’s offering mental health support for your team, switching to sustainable suppliers, or simply restructuring your services to better support your clients’ wellbeing.

I’m looking forward to seeing more businesses embracing this model. As it becomes clear that purpose-driven companies outperform their peers while making a positive impact, the question isn’t whether to become a healing organization, but how soon to begin the journey.

Ready to join the movement?