Entry #16 – June 11, 2011
Don’t Let the Perfect be the Enemy of the Good – Voltaire
This photo includes my Business Law and Public Policy Students, officers of Spartan Global Development Fund, MSU Students for Fair Trade, and others from the Broad College of Business. The occasion was a visit by Dr. Kevin Danaher of Global Exchange for our Annual Fair Trade Bash. He spoke in my classes about “Green Careers.”
Don’t Let the Perfect be the Enemy of the Good – Voltaire
This photo includes my Business Law and Public Policy Students, officers of Spartan Global Development Fund, MSU Students for Fair Trade, and others from the Broad College of Business. The occasion was a visit by Dr. Kevin Danaher of Global Exchange for our Annual Fair Trade Bash. He spoke in my classes about “Green Careers.”
A theme in all of my classes this semester has been “Don’t Let the Perfect be the Enemy of the Good.” It applies in many ways. Sometimes students entering my classes feel overwhelmed in light of the challenges we face (climate change, the need for alternative energy, clean up of toxic contamination, etc.). Yet, even if we are not perfect in our pursuit of sustainable practices, we must continue that pursuit.
When a business student seeks employment upon graduation, many prospective employers are far less than perfect in their efforts to promote the Triple Bottom Line (sustainability in the areas of economy, social equity, and environment). Yet, each of us must start somewhere. I have faith in my students that they can and will work from within companies to move them toward more sustainable practices. But, as my teaching assistant Ross Stavoe said in our Environmental Law and Sustainability class, “Don’t let the good be the enemy of the perfect.” Attainment of some good does not excuse us from the pursuit of the perfect. As a society, we have a long way to go as we pursue the Triple Bottom Line.
Copyright© 2011 by Paulette L. Stenzel for text and photo.
When a business student seeks employment upon graduation, many prospective employers are far less than perfect in their efforts to promote the Triple Bottom Line (sustainability in the areas of economy, social equity, and environment). Yet, each of us must start somewhere. I have faith in my students that they can and will work from within companies to move them toward more sustainable practices. But, as my teaching assistant Ross Stavoe said in our Environmental Law and Sustainability class, “Don’t let the good be the enemy of the perfect.” Attainment of some good does not excuse us from the pursuit of the perfect. As a society, we have a long way to go as we pursue the Triple Bottom Line.
Copyright© 2011 by Paulette L. Stenzel for text and photo.
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