Prince Harry got a job: the position is hardly heard, but it is likely that sooner or later fashion will also arrive in Lithuania

Prince Harry himself, quoted by the Wall Street Journal, says he hopes a new job will help make a difference in people’s lives. “Proactive educational leadership provides unlimited opportunities for personal development, increases understanding and improves life,” motivated his choice.

However, the attention of some Lithuanians was also drawn to the position of a member of the royal family – the Director of Impact. In Lithuania, the little-heard position in the West is not entirely new, but a portal Delphi Interviewees argue that such changes in corporate governance only indicate that it is no longer enough for a company to think about income and earnings from work.

Prince Harry writes in his blog post that in his new role, he will “advocate and raise awareness of the importance of emotional health in society by helping to lead the company in its social mission and contribute to impact,” expanding a network global leaders. educators, clients and members.

An Internet search for information on companies with a CEO position reveals that these are often NGOs or companies with a social mission in the world.

The main objective of companies is changing

Rytis Ambrazevičius, a corporate governance expert and president of the Baltic Institute for Corporate Governance, said that as the business environment changes, so do the usual business management positions.

“Together, each company looks at the directions in which it would like to operate and therefore shapes its positions and then finds and assigns people to achieve those goals,” he said.

The interviewee said that he has not yet heard of companies in Lithuania having a leading impact specialist, adding that new emerging titles in companies show that the global economy and business attitudes are changing.

“The further companies move away, the more they start to think about their goal, rather than the old one that everyone had before, just to get a return for shareholders. A higher goal is being sought, and among them are emerging social and environmental goals. In Europe, we usually talk about what a company can contribute more than money, how it can help society, the state, the environment ”, continues the interlocutor.

It is, according to R. Ambrazevičius, that by expanding the main objectives of companies, which go beyond profit, new directions and responsibilities are born in companies.

“In the Baltic countries and Lithuania, we are still moving in the direction of business sustainability and ESG (environment, social and governance), but in Western Europe or Scandinavia this is already advanced practice. It is fascinating that there are startups. creation in the capitalist United States, such as Prince Harry’s employer, which they look at more broadly, ”commented the corporate governance expert.

As the interviewee said, more and more companies are realizing that ignoring social responsibility and sustainability issues will soon be too risky, as pressure is being felt from all sides: consumers, politicians and investors.

Prince Harry’s homework exemplifies the creativity of beginners

Vladas Lašas, a business angel and chairman of the LitBAN board, said that the unusually strong job positions in the startup world are a reflection of the creativity of this ecosystem.

The entrepreneur herself has also had to obtain a business card from an employee of a large company, which lists the woman’s position as Director of Happiness. Chief evangelists, representatives of the company who nurture and spread the values ​​and vision of the company, were among the most interesting positions agreed upon by V. Lašas.

“These job titles often reflect the creative side of beginners. Of course, when it comes to Prince Harry, his responsibilities as Chief Impact Director reflect very well what that personality can bring to the company – both fame and the existing network of acquaintances. This can help a company not only increase its awareness, but also trust it. Furthermore, we know that the change that the company wants to achieve is not alien to the prince himself, ”continued V. Lašas.

The business angel was glad that the news of the British Prince’s new job had drawn attention not only to a new turn in the life of a member of the royal family, but also to the startup itself, which was dedicated to meaningful activities.

“Today, the issue of people’s emotional and psychological health is very relevant. We talk about physical movement, a healthy body, but we often forget about emotional health. It’s gratifying when startups take on things that are relevant to society now, and large companies sometimes don’t dare to make changes in those areas, “he added.

V. Lašas also mentioned that a year ago, at the beginning of the pandemic, Mindletic was born in Lithuania, a start-up with a similar idea, an emotional health “sports club” that helps companies with a large number of employees and maintain psychological balance when working remotely. The entrepreneur is an investor and consultant for this startup.