Time now to reflect on what society we help to create

The US 19th-century poet James Russell Lowell wrote these famous lines: “Once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide/ In the strife of Truth with Falsehood/ for the good or evil side.”

These words open a poem protesting the US annexation of Texas from Mexico, and the potential strengthening of slavery he feared it might bring. But it is a timeless truth.

Much has been written about how far business leaders should be involved in social and political affairs. Mostly we think we don’t have time for politics, but that leaves decisions in the hands of people who don’t understand business and how jobs are created and sustained.

Is this a time to get involved?

Organised business has some fine people in representative bodies trying to talk to the government. Labour is well organised. Small business, by its nature, is less easily organised and so less influential. We all have the vote, including the unemployed who are least represented and so easily ignored in economic policy, but is there more that small-business owners can do to influence society for the better?

At least we can review how our ideal for society infects our own companies. Thousands of us insisting on a high standard of ethics can provide the moral foundation and accountability for those who make the big decisions.

Lowell’s poem was adapted into a hymn that contains the lines: “New occasions teach new duties/ Time makes ancient good uncouth/ They must upward still and onward/ Who would keep abreast of truth.”

We have to run uphill fast just to keep up with the extraordinary pace of new technology, but Lowell was referring to the moral challenge of recognising good. Does that change too? We are appalled at some things our grandparents tolerated; what will appall our grandchildren about what we now tolerate?

Do the decisions we make every day, most often without thinking as we accept the way we have always done things, reflect our ideals for the society we choose to live in?

We are in Ramadan and Lent, and moving towards Passover and Easter. It is a good season to pause and reflect. The rhythm of the year brings memories of the past and hope for the future. It reminds us of discipline, stimulates reflection, helps us let go of the past and pulls us back on track towards our purpose in life.

The business year has a rhythm to it too. Year-end accounts, audits and the collection of data for the annual report bring the previous year to a close. The budgeting process pulls us towards the near future, and a strategy retreat creates a longer-term future. This rhythm gives us space to rest and recover when pressures get to us. Then the rhythm wakes us up and energises us for the next goal. The present time of year invites us to examine what we take for granted, and to make decisions that reflect our better selves.

If you are a business leader, you could do worse during this period than to take time out to reflect, to dig into the depths of your being and the heart of your company, to recall the values that justify your existence.

This year we have a particularly sombre mood in society, reflected in wavering business confidence and dwindling hope. Things need to change. It may be that this is the time for sticking one’s neck out on the national stage.

Whether that is true, it certainly is time to review what we stand for at company level and ensure we lead in a direction our grandchildren will be grateful for.