Vocation

Joan Dugan was co-founder of a very successful company which she later sold. She then worked in the corporate world for a while, but eventually gave most all of her money away and founded an EoC-minded tutoring startup in upstate New York which she helped manage for over 2 decades.

Although she felt pressure in the corporate world to ‘value profit over people’, she always tried to foster community and focus on people. For her, helping people find their calling in their work has been central. Frequently we live a divided life– our business values do not match our personal values and beliefs. But the EoC approach helps us to live a unified life– one in which I can authentically live out my personal beliefs through my business activities. I can care for others as I practice business, and find joy in caring for others, as I also make a living. Joan Dugan describes that well in this video.

Discussion Questions

1. What does it mean to view the EOC as a “vocation and a lifestyle”?
2. How does the EOC encourage personal growth and openness?
3. How might adopting this mindset change workplace culture and leadership?