Please join me as I welcome David Katz, founder and CEO of Plastic Bank, as we embark on a poignant exploration of how adversity can shape a vision for a better world. During our conversation, David shares the genesis of his social enterprise that’s turning the tide on ocean plastic and poverty. His initiative, which transforms plastic waste into a form of currency, not only cleans up the environment but also offers essential resources to those in need.

In this deeply personal episode, David opens up about his transformative experiences—witnessing domestic violence, coping with the loss of a child — and how they brought him a profound sense of compassion and gratitude. He thoughtfully discusses the immense freedom that comes with embracing life’s improbabilities and the importance of being present and intentional. Our conversation invites listeners to consider our life’s challenges as catalysts for growth, with a reminder that our very existence is an extraordinary gift.

We then pivot our focus to the workplace, often a hub of untapped potential, where David challenges us to reimagine it as a sanctuary for self-actualization and authenticity. He also touches on the importance of reframing failure as a vital learning step in our journey to success and how each setback can serve as the groundwork for new beginnings.

Lastly, we tackle the crucial role of self-love and authenticity in both personal development and the workplace. By fostering a culture that prioritizes self-actualization, we unlock the full potential of our teams and ourselves. We delve into the essence of adopting a yes, and; mindset to innovation and collaboration, and how small acts of acceptance make a world of difference.

What You’ll learn

- Insights on compassionate leadership for positive change.

- The importance of cultivating gratitude and courage amidst challenges

- Tips for creating a workplace that fosters self-actualization and authenticity.

- How to overcome our fear of failure and embrace creativity and learning.

- The revolutionary power of love as a verb in business and life.

Podcast Timestamps

(00:00) - Compassionate Leadership for Positive Change

(15:09) – The Transformative Power of Reflecting on Our Life’s Journey

(27:23) - Creating a Culture of Self-Actualization

(33:18) - Overcoming Failure and Embracing Growth

(39:05) – Love as a Verb in Business and in Life

More of David:

David Katz is the Founder and CEO of Plastic Bank - an internationally recognized solution to ocean plastic. His idea has enlivened an opportunity for the world to collect and exchange plastic as a currency. Today, his social enterprise is a global network of over 500 collection communities with more than 36,000 members transcending poverty by saving the ocean from plastic. David’s leadership has helped guide global partners like SC Johnson, Henkel, and more to stop billions of plastic bottles before they reach the ocean.

David has been named one of the world’s most compassionate entrepreneurs. He is the recipient of the United Nations Lighthouse Award for Planetary Health, recipient of the Paris Climate Conference Sustainia Community Award, recipient of the Ernst & Young Lifetime Achievement Award, recipient of The Globe and Mail: Report on Business Magazine’s Changemakers Award, and named the Entrepreneur Organizations, Global Citizen. His humanitarian work has earned him international recognition. David has been featured in hundreds of international news and investigative articles, including BBC, CNN, Time Magazine, Forbes, Fast Company, Business Week, and National Geographic. David can be found at TED.com, is featured in award-winning documentaries and starred in an international reality television show.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-katz-4b66178/

Topics Discussed

Compassionate Leadership, Social Enterprise, Clean Oceans, Self-Discovery, Environmental Action, Entrepreneurial Innovation, Gratitude, Self-Actualization, Vulnerability, Reframing Failure, Love as a Verb, Personal Growth, Self-Love, Courage, Personal Healing, Unconditional Love, Acceptance, Self-Reflection

More of Do Good to Lead Well:

Website: https://craigdowden.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/