Can Bushido (Samurai Code) help small businesses achieve environmental sustainability?
As the Chief Operating Officer of a small construction company, I’ve often faced the challenge of making environmental sustainability part of our daily work. Adopting eco-friendly practices can feel daunting for smaller businesses, which don’t have the resources of larger firms. However, I found unexpected inspiration in Bushido, the ancient samurai code. Bushido emphasises values like integrity, discipline, and loyalty — qualities that resonate with me as I guide our company toward a more sustainable path. While the samurai applied these principles in their own way, modern businesses can use them to shape responsible, environmentally conscious operations, particularly in industries like construction, where sustainability is often seen as costly or complicated. Here’s how I think Bushido can help small businesses make meaningful environmental progress, even with limited resources. Gi, or rectitude, is about making the right choices, even when they’re difficult. For small businesses, th...