What Businesses Can Learn from Therapists

Have you ever felt that something was missing in your work environment, where the focus on results left little room for genuine connection? I experienced this during my decade long career in business development. While success and growth are important, I found myself yearning for something deeper—something more aligned with my values and sense of purpose.

In the business world, I believed that to succeed, I had to be relentless and outcome-driven. Networking became about seeking opportunities rather than building relationships. It led me to have a cut-throat shark like “always be closing” attitude. Over time, this approach left me feeling disconnected from who I truly wanted to be.

It was during my studies in Counseling Psychology, while still working in business development, that I realized there was another way. Though therapy and business may seem worlds apart, there’s much the business world can learn from therapy’s core values. In therapy, we emphasize empathy, active listening, and creating environments where people feel valued—qualities that are essential for sustainable, long-term success in any organization.

This is where conscious capitalism comes in. It’s about aligning business success with integrity and care for employees, customers, and communities. What if businesses embraced the same values therapists do? Imagine workplaces where empathy and trust are central, and people feel seen not just as employees, but as individuals with unique needs.

In therapy, we don’t rush results or force outcomes. Growth and healing unfold at their own pace. The same principle applies to business: trusting the timing and the process leads to more sustainable and authentic results. Rather than pushing for rapid gains, businesses can benefit from a mindful approach, fostering creativity and reducing burnout, while also building deeper trust with both teams and customers.

In therapy, we also value letting individuals make the best decisions for themselves without pressure or persuasion. This approach results in outcomes that are aligned with their values rather than driven by external manipulation. Businesses, too, can benefit by allowing thoughtful, deliberate decisions, leading to stronger and more lasting partnerships.

I believe businesses can be more than profit-driven machines. They can become spaces where empathy and connection are central to success. By embracing conscious capitalism, companies can create lasting value—not just financially, but by contributing to a more fulfilled and engaged workforce and society.

Thank you for exploring this with me. I believe that by integrating heart into business, we can build a future where both people and profits thrive, and where business is truly a force for good.