Opinion Piece by Collab4Good
What if we got social enterprise right? How much better off would our people, places and planet be?
The world as we know it feels like it's spinning out of control. The political landscape is marked by demonisation, destruction, disinformation and distraction. The geopolitical world order is breaking down with new alliances being formed that are shattering the trust we once held in those who once upheld values of democracy, equity and inclusion. Our planet is on the brink, and we’re seeing the consequences of decades of environmental neglect—rising temperatures, increasing sea levels, and systems pushed to their breaking point.
But there’s hope. In the midst of the chaos, we’re starting to listen more closely to wisdom cultures and Indigenous communities—voices that have long been sidelined after centuries of colonisation. These communities hold valuable lessons for the future, lessons about balance, respect, and living in harmony with people and planet. We see social enterprise playing a big role in the way forward. It’s time we get serious about change, and in doing so, we ask ourselves: what would it look like if we got social enterprise right?
We are the leaders we’ve been waiting for.
Sarah Wilson is urging us all to be the adults in the room. It is easy to give over to moments of outrage, righteous blame or defaulting to the indulgence of our comfort zones and saying nothing even though our inner voices are screaming for change. As we all muddle our way forward in the complexities and nuances of these times there are some foundational principles and practices that might help us in the messy bits. First and foremost is the knowledge and acceptance that there is no one coming to save us; the collective ‘we’ are the leaders we’ve been waiting for, the baton has been handballed to us and it is our turn to step up and into our leadership.
Social enterprise isn’t just about making money or ticking boxes on a corporate social responsibility report—it’s about creating real, lasting change. It’s about shifting the systems that perpetuate inequality and injustice. And it’s about doing all of that with strong and clear values at the core of everything we do. This takes real strength and decisive action.
Collab4Good is an organisation that takes notice of, and adapts to what’s going on in the world around us. We bring the lenses of systems thinking, collaboration, root causes, design thinking and lived experience to the core of everything we do. We are always seeking impact, and not the kind that might be in a superhero movie when a comet blows up a planet, but the kind of impact that comes into play in a system, helping it shift towards equity, justice and love. Sometimes that love comes in the form of tough love, where the root cause that sits under the hood isn’t quite as organised or appealing as we might want or think it to be; yet to address the root cause means bringing the not-so-pretty stuff out into the light. We aim to never forget to examine power in all its forms - cultural, status, formal, informal, authoritative, legislative, expertise, experience.
So what if we got it right? This question is a provocation on climate futures poised by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson. This question has set us on a course of examination of our heart, head and soul in relation to social enterprise. Imagine a world where social enterprises, impactful businesses and systems are fully engaged in transformational work that brings more equity, more justice and more love to the world. This world would be founded on some everyday micro-skills and actions that would get us to the point where we could yell out Bingo! We got it right.
This got us to thinking about what traits, behaviours and actions would be on the social enterprise bingo card and here are our picks:
Building trust.
Trust isn’t just about delivering on promises—it’s about being vulnerable, transparent, and showing up authentically for yourself and others. Trust, underpinned by honesty, is the foundation for any meaningful relationship, whether it’s with your team, customers, network or communities you serve. When we act with honesty, we create the space for deeper, more meaningful connections. Honesty is an expression of vulnerability and that in turn deepens intimacy and trust. Being trusted in our relationships is our most valuable currency.
Acting with integrity.
It’s about sticking to your values, even when the going gets tough. It’s about not just doing what’s easy, but what’s right—especially when it’s hard. And yes, this includes having those difficult, uncomfortable conversations that might bring tough love to the table. It’s never about shame or blame, but about pushing each other to grow, improve, and do better for the sake of the collective.
Showing compassion.
To others as well as ourselves. We take our imperfections as a sign of our humanity and are kind to ourselves when we don’t quite hit the mark. We consider ourselves learners and in the process of co-creation with all we come into contact with. This means we hold ourselves accountable for our own part and how our actions affect others.
Collaborate, collaborate, collaborate.
This is an invitation to explore our shared response, our collective genius, our common agenda to whatever it is we are examining and to work together, raising the common good above our own ego and personal ambitions. As a sector we can fly together in formation to new places as we create a world where getting it right includes connected and joined up solutions to big problems.
Embracing openness.
We are curious about understanding what is getting in the way, and reflecting on what has worked (or not worked) to help us make strategic decisions about how best to move forward. Openness and curiosity requires active listening to try and understand the real message that so often gets lost underneath the outrage.
Upholding transparency.
We make assessments of what information or processes needs to be made transparent, and when and how to do this in a way that inspires trust. We listen carefully and bring people along on the journey rather than excluding those who might have objections. Transparency is a hallmark of democracy.
Putting lived experience at the core.
We aim to never lose sight of the reason why we are doing what we do, and remember whose lives will be most affected by our actions and behaviours if we don’t get things right. We seek the wisdom of lived experience to guide us.
At the centre of the Bingo card would be consistency.
None of the other elements on the Bingo card will work if they are only undertaken when it best suits us. These traits and behaviours must be undertaken consistently and embedded into all we do - holding fiercely tight to a way of being while being open to how the work unfolds. Only then will we have a chance of getting it right.
And finally, there’s leveraging power with love.
Yes, love. Social enterprise isn’t a cold, transactional business. It’s about real, human connections and shared aspirations. It’s about showing up with kindness and compassion for the world around us. Because power without love, as Martin Luther King so beautifully said, is reckless and abusive. But power with love? That’s the kind of force that can change the world.
Working together and each doing our bit, collectively and collaboratively, is the trick to take us to the next level and be able to shout bingo - we got it right! Working alone, in silos, or even industry specific sectors, is not going to be enough to shift the conditions holding inequity and power imbalances in place, particularly under the current conditions and contexts that we find ourselves in.
A World Where Social Enterprise Gets It Right
So imagine for a moment that we get it right - we see a world where social enterprises are the norm, not the exception. A world where businesses aren’t just focused on profits, but on transforming systems, solving societal challenges, and prioritising people and the planet.
In this world, we’d see mutuals and co-operatives thrive, where decisions are made by the people who are most impacted by systemic failures. We’d see First Nations-led businesses offering products and services rooted in wisdom and regeneration. We’d see the circular economy as default, with companies building systems that minimise waste and value planet in equal measure to profits. We’d see diversity and equality embraced and celebrated for the immense value that it brings to all we do at work and as a society, and embedded into our governance practices. Financial models would look different as well; no-interest or low-interest loans would become common, allowing communities to thrive without being burdened by oppressive and unaffordable debt.
Bingo! We Got It Right
This isn’t a dream. It’s a possibility—if we choose to take action. If we choose to step up, show up, and lead with courage, wisdom, and heart. The world is full of imperfections, but that’s where the magic happens. Imperfections mean we’re human, and that’s exactly what’s needed to fuel change.
So, let’s take a collective breath and ask ourselves: What if we got it right? What if we built systems that prioritised equity, justice, and love? What if social enterprises were way beyond capitalism for good to lead that way as a truly transformative force in the world?
Let’s step into leadership, together, and shout—Bingo! We got it right.
A great way to contribute towards a social enterprise sector that ‘gets it right’ is to join your state or territory social enterprise peak body - they are there to listen, support and represent your social enterprise collectively, underpinned by all the values and practices in the Bingo card.
