Business & Society with Senthil Nathan

#42 Spiritual Philanthropy: Beyond Metrics and Mandates with Geoffrey Jones

Senthil Nathan

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0:00 | 41:08

What drives business leaders to give? Geoffrey Jones, celebrated business historian at Harvard Business School, challenges everything we think we know about philanthropy.

In this episode, we explore "spiritual philanthropy"—a concept rooted not in tax incentives or CSR mandates, but in deeply held values. Geoff reveals why leaders in emerging markets approach giving differently than their Western counterparts, how proximity to poverty shapes generosity, and what happens when business values get watered down by growth.

We also discuss what business history teaches us about capitalism, responsibility, and the skills leaders need in an increasingly complex world.

A conversation about fairness, purpose, and what it really means to do good.

Link to Geoffrey Jone's latest book: Deeply Responsible Business


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