Do the Kind Thing: Think
Boundlessly, Work Purposefully, Live Passionately is an empowering book which I will be adding to a list of
recommended reading for our Business classes. In this work, the CEO of Kind Healthy
Snacks, founder Daniel Lubetzky, explains the company’s "AND" philosophy (help
solve social problems and identify commercial gaps) while outlining 9 additional
tenets which form his approach to business and life. Aimed at socially
motivated entrepreneurs, Do the Kind Thing is a truly inspirational read for anyone as Lubetzky
honestly and freely comments on several past mistakes while noting that
“failure holds the seeds for greatness.”
In Do the Kind Thing Lubetzky writes about a life shaped by his father’s experience as a Holocaust survivor and his own early efforts to forge a business partnership between Palestinians and Israelis for making sundried tomato spreads while simultaneously fostering better understanding of each other’s culture. He continues by asking whether one can teach grit and empathy. Lubetzky’s writing and numerous examples made me think about our school efforts to support stores like 10,000 villages or to educate about innovative groups such as Kiva Loans.
The story in Do the Kind Thing focuses on innovation and authenticity (using transparent wrappers to emphasize product quality), making an investment (giving away KIND bars to gain purchasers and recommenders), and listening to others. Meeting Lubetzky would be fascinating – he seems like a person who clearly sees where he is and where he wants to go. His writing style is personal and conversational and this book will be popular with many young adults – a perfect graduation gift along with Randy Pausch’s The Last Lecture. As you pick up a copy, begin to “Think Boundlessly, Work Purposefully, Live Passionately” for as Lubetzky says, “pursuing what you believe in already constitutes success regardless of the outcome.”
Other suggestions for books by social entrepreneurs include Onward: How Starbucks Fought for its Life without Losing its Soul by Schultz and Start Something that Matters by Mycoskie.
4/7: Adding a slide share Weekend Essay with Daniel Lubetzky:
