The Story and Legacy of a Radical Industrialist and his Quest for Authentic Change

mountain

Ray C. Anderson’s Mid-Course Correction, originally published 20 years ago, became the definitive case study for sustainable business. Now fully updated and expanded for the twenty-first century, Mid-Course Correction Revisited includes new chapters penned by Anderson’s grandson, John A. Lanier.

The following is an excerpt from Mid-Course Correction Revisited by Ray Anderson & John Lanier. It has been adapted for the web.


Prefer audio? 

Listen to the following excerpt from the audiobook of Mid-Course Correction Revisited.


I have this mental picture of a mountain that is higher than Everest. It rises steeply out of a jungle that surrounds it. Most of us, people and companies, are lost and wandering around in that jungle, and don’t know the mountain exists at all.jungle with waterfall

Rather, we are preoccupied with the threatening, competitive “animals” all around us. A few have sensed the upward slope of the mountain’s foothills under their feet. Still fewer have decided to follow the upward slope to see where it leads. And a very few are far enough along to have had a glimpse of the mountain through the leaves of the trees, to realize what looms ahead and above.

Very few indeed have set their eyes and wills on the summit.

What will the view from there, from the vantage point of sustainability, be like? I believe it will be wonderful beyond description, and I hope to see it before I die. I also hope others, still lost in the jungle or just becoming conscious of the upward slope, even beginning to explore it, will hear our cries of joy through the foliage and rush ahead to follow our path, someday soon to join us at the summit (or better yet beat us there). There’s room there for everyone, and certainly anyone headed in that direction welcomes the companionship, as we seek to create the prototypical company of the twenty-first century, of the next industrial revolution.


About the authors

Ray Anderson

Ray C. Anderson was founder and chairman of Interface, Inc., one of the world’s leading carpet and flooring producers. His story is now legend: Anderson had a “spear in the chest” epiphany when he first read Paul Hawken’s The Ecology of Commerce, inspiring him to revolutionize his business in pursuit of environmental sustainability. In doing so, he proved that business can indeed “do well by doing good.” The Georgia-based Interface has been ranked number one in a GlobeScan survey of sustainability experts, and the company has continued to be an environmental leader even after Anderson’s death in 2011.

John Lanier bio pic

John A. Lanier joined the Ray C. Anderson Foundation as executive director in May 2013 to advance the legacy of Ray, his grandfather. He is chair of the board of directors for Southface, the southeast’s nonprofit leader in the promotion of sustainable homes, workplaces, and communities through education, research, advocacy, and technical assistance.


Recommended Reads

Doing Well By Doing Good

The Evolution of Earth, Humans, and Our Natural Resources

Recent Articles

layoffs

Mass Layoffs: Destructiveness and Doubt

Addressing the pressing issues affecting everyday Americans is essential—and one of our nation’s most profound challenges is the devastating impact of mass layoffs. Layoffs upend people’s lives, cause enormous stress, and lead to debilitating personal debt. The societal harm caused by mass layoffs has been known for decades. Yet, we do little to stop them.…

Read More

Designing Leather Goods: Cutting & Shaping

In a personal investigation into ethical and traceable leather, fashion designer Alice Robinson begins a ground-breaking journey into the origin story of leather and its connection to food and farming. Keep reading to learn more about her process of cutting & shaping leather to create handbags, shoes, clothing, and more! The following is an excerpt from…

Read More

About Time: What Makes Time Such A Valuable Resource

We’ve all heard of the phrases “time flies” and “time heals all wounds,” but what really is time, and how does it impact our lives?  The concept of time may be even more powerful than we think, especially when it comes to the money we save and spend. The following is an excerpt from The…

Read More

History of The Seed Sovereignty Movement: Reclaiming the Seed

Vandana Shiva has been described in many ways: the “Gandhi of Grain,” “a rock star” in the battle against GMOs, and “the most powerful voice” for people of the developing world. For over four decades she been at the forefront of seed saving, seed sovereignty, and connecting the dots between the destruction of nature, the polarization…

Read More

Making the Great Resignation Even Greater

People are quitting their jobs and retiring at an alarming rate all over the country. Dubbed “the great resignation,” this change in the American workforce is causing shortages and supply chain issues in many sectors, from healthcare to retail. The following is an excerpt from Scanned by Nick Corbishley. It has been adapted for the…

Read More