Many believe that subordinating investment decisions to vision and core values means compromising financial return. We’ve learned that just the opposite is true. Experience has shown us that investments in high-impact sectors can yield both meaningful life rewards and positive financial performance.
As I’ve reflected on the investments Icelaven has made in the past five years, I’ve realized that much of that return is a function of employee performance as well. And if one axiom has proven true, it’s that employees are almost never motivated purely by ROI’s, even if they are generously rewarded from those returns. As leadership guru Ken Blanchard said, “The greatest leaders mobilize others by coalescing people around a shared vision.”
At Icelaven, when we rally our team around a tangible and attainable vision, and then live that out through our core values, employees can stay motivated, because they’re part of something bigger than themselves that provides meaning beyond a paycheck. And I believe that’s a big part of the reason our purpose-driven investments not only deliver competitive financial returns, but have measurable benefits that truly improve people’s lives.
And this isn’t limited to our experience. There’s a growing body of evidence reinforcing how “impact investing” is not about choosing between profit and purpose. Instead, it’s about recognizing that sustainable, long-term financial success is intrinsically linked to creating positive societal impact—both on the people we serve and on our employees.
That’s why we’ll remain committed to only investing in companies whose purpose and mission we wholeheartedly embrace. What’s your experience with values-driven investments? Let us know in the comments below.