The Pocket Dojo podcast #21: In conversation with Bessi Graham

Know your context, partner locally and make real impact

In the penultimate episode of Series 2 of the Pocket Dojo podcast, my co-host

Paul Crick

is talking to Bessi Graham, Angel / VC / Impact Investor, coach, advisor and founder of Benefit Capital. It is a rich conversation about Bessi’s journey philosophy which explores how to create positive social impact and be financially successful. Bessi also generously shares her insights on how context is vital for enabling meaningful change, and leadership and business practices that make it possible.

From a young age, Bessi questioned why we often feel forced to choose between doing good and making money. Her curiosity helped to shape her career and ‘both-and’ approach, inspiring others to integrate purpose into their business practices without sacrificing profitability. In her work, she has continuously challenged the status quo to explore new ways to merge purpose and profit.

To Paul’s question about why so much money is invested annually in leadership training around the world but many leaders still find it difficult to navigate complex challenges, Bessi affirmed that formal learning is often removed from real-world experiences. In her experience, effective leadership needs to be grounded in practical day-to-day events, supported by mentorship and enabled through a deep understanding of the context in which we find ourselves.

Bessi suggested the idea of ‘apprenticing with the problem’ - immersing ourselves in the context of the challenge we face before attempting to design solutions. She shared stories from her experience in very different contexts, from high-level advisory roles to grassroots initiatives in places like Papua New Guinea and Samoa. She highlighted that understanding the local environment, culture and particular challenges are essential for making meaningful impact. In this way businesses can avoid unintended consequences and make sure they are really benefitting local communities.

A key element of this episode was the need for shifting attention to SMEs on environmental and social governance (ESG) challenges. SMEs often make up the infrastructure of local economies but are overlooked when we focus on large corporations. They need resources and support to overcome their specific challenges and do business in ways that benefit people and planet.

Bessi’s tips:

• Zoom out to see the bigger picture and work on real practical applications

• Look for opportunities to learn through doing and be mentored to bridge the gap between theory and practice

• Dedicate time and energy to understanding the local environment, culture, and specific challenges

• Partner with local stakeholders to develop culturally sensitive and sustainable solutions to real problems

• Ensure you have clear metrics in place to evaluate your impact on society and ensure accountability

If you would like to learn more about Bessi’s work and insights, connect with her on LinkedIn.

Thanks for watching!