Leading the transition: 7 upgrades for conscious business builders

I am walking the path from unconscious success to conscious creation. I’ve seen what happens when purpose gets buried under productivity and the need for performance. What I’m sharing here isn’t theory—it’s what I am living, and what I now believe we must live collectively.

The global economy is at a tipping point. As conscious business leaders, we have the power to shift from an unconscious economy — one driven by consumerism and concentrated wealth — to a conscious economy that prioritizes sustainability, cooperation, and human well-being. This transformation is not just idealistic; it is essential for the future of our planet and society.

The conscious economy: a new foundation

A conscious economy is built on human skills, natural values, and heart-based choices. It reflects a natural balance of giving and receiving — one that aligns with both ecological cycles and inner alignment. It values regeneration over exploitation, contribution over competition, and meaning over metrics.

Rather than maximizing profit at all costs, a conscious economy supports businesses and communities that foster well-being, resilience, and soulful innovation. It prioritizes:

• Local, regenerative production

• Fair and transparent exchange

• Decentralized systems that support autonomy

• Circular models, where waste becomes input and value circulates

• Energetic coherence — how something is made matters as much as what is made

A great example is the rise of local food cooperatives that not only reduce ecological impact but also strengthen community ties and keep wealth circulating locally. Or open-source platforms that share innovation freely, allowing others to build upon ideas without patent-driven gatekeeping. Even in tech, conscious tools are emerging — platforms built without invasive tracking, or communities choosing to fund creators directly rather than feeding attention algorithms.

It’s not about rejecting technology or capitalism altogether — it’s about realigning them with life-affirming values. A conscious economy asks:
What are we building, and who are we becoming in the process?

The unconscious economy: where we are

The unconscious economy is a logical outcome of humanity's current state. We have been conditioned to operate in a disempowering system where success is concentrated in the hands of a few. And where consumerism supports our need for status — the latest iPhone, Nikes, or Audi. For many of us, this means working long hours for a modest pension at the end of life.

I am not exempt from this. I, too, have participated in and enjoyed the material rewards — luxurious travel and consumer goods. But over the past 13 years, I have gradually shifted. I no longer find joy in buying things I don’t need. While I still interact with the unconscious economy, I now make more conscious choices.

What comes next?

AI is advancing rapidly. Robots are becoming part of workplaces and homes. Tech giants increasingly influence how we live and work. Surveillance threatens our privacy. With the potential introduction of Universal Basic Income and social credit systems, how we spend our resources may soon be dictated by external forces.

However, not all technology is inherently negative. I will still buy products made by robots when human interaction is not essential. For example, a robot-made laptop is efficient. But I will prioritize software and services created in the conscious economy — where privacy is respected, and surveillance is absent.

Imagine a future where your doctor is an AI. It can diagnose efficiently and even offers you a med-bed to heal your illnesses. But can it react with true empathy? Can the med-bed heal your emotion-based traumas?

Conscious leadership: what businesses must do

The split between conscious and unconscious economies comes down to choices — by consumers and producers alike. For small and medium-sized businesses, conscious leadership is key. Here are some priorities for the next years:

1. Prioritize creativity

Make creativity a cornerstone of your business. Form a small, diverse team dedicated to innovation. Encourage rapid failure and idea generation, knowing that only 1% of ideas may succeed — but that 1% could be transformative. Reinvention is essential, even for small local businesses.
A great example is how Snapchat's corporate culture encourages innovation by embracing experimentation. CEO Evan Spiegel has implemented practices such as having new designers present ideas on their first day, fostering a fearless approach to creativity. Snapchat has a dedicated creative team of only 9 people.

2. Integrate AI wisely

Use AI to streamline processes that can be automated. Let go of nostalgia or pride that hinders adaptability. Downsizing, if needed, may be painful, but if done humanely — guiding displaced employees toward new opportunities — it is far better than forced layoffs later.
Alternatively, AI tools can be implemented to guide employees to gain clarity over their natural talents and improve their skills, so they can find a better role within your organisation.

3. Redefine human skills

Value human creativity, social interaction, personalized service, craftsmanship, and products made from natural materials. These will become increasingly sought-after as automation proliferates.

We are already witnessing the consequences of a dehumanized economy: AI-driven call centers, automated replies, and unreachable customer service are wearing people down. It’s becoming nearly impossible to speak to a real person when something goes wrong — especially within large corporations. This growing frustration is a sign of what’s missing: empathy, presence, and care.

For small and medium-sized businesses, this is not a weakness — it’s a unique selling point. The human touch will become a premium offering. Connection will become currency. Whether it's hands-on craftsmanship, warm interaction, or simply being reachable when people need help, these are the elements that create trust, loyalty, and resonance in the conscious economy.

4. Balance global reach and local presence

Decide where your business fits. If you offer a globally impactful product, expand your reach. If you serve local needs, build partnerships across borders or strengthen your local community presence: local authorities and community groups. Strong community gives a fundament for loyalty and support.

5. Follow your heart

In the conscious economy, heart-based entrepreneurship thrives. Build your business around what you are passionate about and what genuinely serves your clients.
Often our businesses have grown too much, into directions that might give more profit, but don’t have our heart and passion. Go back to your core and make that business highly resilient and adaptable.

6. Explore decentralized systems

Stay informed about decentralized banking, payments, and currencies. Financial autonomy is a key aspect of conscious business. Make this one of your highest priorities. (Reach out if you’d like to know more.)

7. Shift from wealth to fulfillment

This shift asks us to stop chasing outcome and start aligning with frequency. Wealth is no longer the signal of success. Coherence is.
Fulfillment is a natural result when creation emerges from truth — not strategy.

The Future of the Conscious Economy

The conscious economy will grow as the novelty of AI and automation fades. Many will remain excited by robot cleaners or self-driving cars, and AI can be a fantastic tool — even for refining thoughts or editing articles. But tech reflects where we are; it cannot replace our human essence, connection, and growth.

No machine can replicate our creativity, humour (I tried ;-), love, compassion, self-awareness, or capacity for deep healing. Nor can it produce the natural food, materials, and resources we need to thrive.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, economies are shaped by what we comply with — or what we consciously choose. The time has come to choose with intention, even if that means saying yes to the unconscious economy with eyes wide open.

I’m not here to debate. I’m here to hold the door open—for those ready to lead beyond performance, noise, and inherited systems.

If this article hits something true, share it. The field builds faster when we speak from it.

I’m creating a space for conscious leaders who are done performing and ready to build from coherence. If that’s you, stay close. More soon.

We are moving from:
Empowered within → Rooted within
And from
Impactful beyond → Building beyond

I have only recently realized that our language needs to change to frequency-based lingo supporting our journey ahead.