Reimagining Business for the Next Economy - Grupo Ageas Portugal x Small Giants Academy x maze
In a world at a pivotal crossroads, maze impact, Grupo Ageas Portugal, and Small Giants Academy came together in Lisbon to explore how businesses can lead the way toward the next economy. It was a gathering of leaders, thinkers, and changemakers who shared stories, tools, and insights for shaping a future rooted in empathy, care, and transformative action.
A journey of reflection and inspiration
The event began with a poetic reflection by Kathrine, setting the tone for a day of deep conversations. Her poem invited participants to reimagine and reconnect, followed by Antonio Miguel, Managing Partner at maze, who showcased maze impactful tools and projects empowering businesses and communities to drive change.
Building on this momentum, Tamsin Jones from Small Giants Academy shared stories and insights from the fields of relational systems thinking and regenerative economics. Her exploration of Nora Bateson’s frameworks and Doughnut Economics underscored the importance of grounding transformative ideas in care and coherence.
Guiding principles for change
Tamsin Jones, Head of Academy Programs, Mastery of Business & Empathy & Community
At the heart of the discussions were five core principles that form the foundation of transformation:
- Safe Spaces that foster authenticity and resilience.
- Brave Conversations to disrupt old narratives and imagine new possibilities.
- Storytelling as a catalyst for inspiration and understanding.
- Programmes and Events that engage diverse communities.
- Action Labs to experiment, test, and scale impactful solutions.
These pillars guide initiatives like the Master Business Empathy Programmes, which empower businesses and individuals alike to turn vision into action.
Turning knowledge into action
A recurring theme was the need to bridge knowledge and action. Without action, knowledge remains static, failing to bring the change the world urgently needs. This insight was powerfully illustrated through Margaret Mead’s timeless words about the impact of small, committed groups:
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead
Antonio emphasised the importance of navigating complexity without losing focus, reminding us that how we lead—through authentic and courageous dialogue—matters as much as what we do.
Imagining transformation across time
The conversation delved into the Three Horizons Framework, introduced by Tamsin as a way to map and navigate systemic transformation:
- Horizon One: Preserving aspects of the current system that serve us.
- Horizon Two: Bridging the gap with innovative solutions.
- Horizon Three: Dreaming of a regenerative, inclusive future.
This framework encouraged participants to think critically about values, current structures, and the collaborative paths forward.
Wisdom and action
Rita Nabeiro, Executive board member at Grupo Nabeiro
The day closed with a heartfelt testimony from Rita Nabeiro, who reflected on her journey with Mastery of Business and Empathy (MBE) from Small Giants Academy. Her words highlighted the balance between wisdom and action, a theme that resonated throughout the event:
Action without wisdom is dangerous, but wisdom without action adds no value.
Her grandfather’s reflection,“If we all wanted, the world could be wonderful,” echoed as a call to collective action, reminding everyone of the power of community to transform lives and systems.
A call to belonging
As the event came to an end, participants were reminded that the work of building the next economy begins within—fostering relationships, resilience, and care.
Together, we are shaping a new narrative: one that is relational, regenerative, and grounded in hope. The next economy is not only about what we build but how we build it—with courage, collaboration, and compassion at the core.
This inspiring gathering reaffirmed the collective potential to reimagine business and drive meaningful, lasting change.
See LinkedIn post here.