Working for Humanity –at Work

Maybe it’s time we revisited the bottom line. If that line crushes any part of our emotional and spiritual well-being, we need to generate a different work.

~ Mac Bogert

As CEO/ReImaginator for 360° Nation and Chief Encouragement Officer of our affiliated pro bono social impact enterprise; GoodWorks 360° Foundation, I was delighted to have the opportunity to get better acquainted with Mac Bogert, Founder of the Humanity at Work Foundation. His Foundation is focused on changing the way we think of, imagine, and show up for work. Learn more as you enjoy our inspiring Interview with Mac below ⤵︎

We’d like to hear about your professional journey before Humanity@Work.

I don’t think I ever bought the idea of career. Teaching, in one form or another, is the closest I’ve come. I have worked as an actor, a carpenter, a yacht charter captain, blues musician, in sales, curriculum development, and that’s the partial list. All of these prepared me (without any kind of plan) for the past 28 years of nudging people and organizations toward an environment of shared understanding and shared leadership.

Tell us about Humanity@Work and the inspiration behind it.

March 14, 2020. Back from Albuquerque for what I realized would be my last road trip for while. Even then, I heard people saying, “I can’t wait for things to get back to normal.” That spawned the back2different podcast. All my guests spoke about this rocky time as a chance to cast off some outmoded thinking – and practices – of the workplace. Then I hosted a podcast with Shara Lewis-Campbell, who happens to run a publishing company and who happens to love possibilities. Guess what happened next?

What’s unique about Humanity@Work?

Three things distinguish the project: I gave invitations, not directions, to as many people as possible. Not “This is what we want,” but “What would you like to say?” Though all contributors have a place in the Index to pitch their wares, the contents are about ideas. If your piece grabs readers, they’ll find you.

There is no monetization in this. None.    Any proceeds go to Doctors Without Borders, so we can put all our energy into love instead of profit. This is an ongoing project. Publishing the book felt like Whew, we’re done! That event, however, is the commencement of the project, our concrete foundation for our Foundation.

When did you launch and what’s been your biggest challenge?

We launched in October 2020. We floated Humanity at Work on April 1^st, 2021 (our publication!) My biggest challenge has been realizing and acting on the idea that the publication is the beginning, not the goal.

Any noteworthy surprises or “A-ha” moments along the way?

Just about everyone we asked to submit, did. I think I only had to remind 2-3 people that we were waiting for their work. It was a wonderful flood. Also, Shara lives in the UK. Andrew lives in Georgia. I live in Annapolis. We’ve become neighbors and best friends.

How would you describe your typical day presiding over Humanity@Work?

I do a different ‘spread the word’ task each weekday, including posting a new “balloon’ of insight from a contributor, recording a video with a sample of their contribution, working on a storyboard video about work, a “questionable work” and a “weekend word” post. We’re also starting work on a new project, Gender Crap.

What about your “social impact/outcomes?”

I never miss the chance to talk with people about work. They always share a story about embedded dysfunction and wanting things to change. Building the critical mass for a shift in consciousness and organizational community is not just possible but necessary. When enough are pushing, the wagon will move.

What’s the next big thing/challenge for Humanity@Work?

It’s like moving into a new house — you get all your stuff sorted out and sigh, “Finally!” and then you realize that your journey has not ended but begun. We are redirecting our focus to spreading the word, keeping our community of the project involved, and growing our message.

As an entrepreneur, what’s non-negotiable for you?

My ‘still, small voice.’ I was in sales for a while – retail – and I did pretty well. Yet the more success I had, the more I felt a sense of disintegration. I discovered that I was rewarded exclusively for sales. No questions, just numbers. And I was starting to reward myself for sales so much so that my character was being replaced by my personality. That scared me. I listen to that voice attentively now, my Jiminy Cricket.

How can our global audience learn more about/help Humanity@Work?

This is, we hope, a growing community. Our website can be found here; Humanity at Work Foundation and our LinkedIn Page is Here. We are devoted to shedding the “old skin’ of outmoded thinking that holds people back, creates dysfunction and turnover, and has too often made ‘work’ simply another four-letter word. Please help us – no bad ideas!

BONUS QUESTION: What’s something interesting that most people wouldn’t know about you?

I made a living as a puppeteer for several years.