Key Sentence:
- Conscious leadership is not easy.
But dr. Karma Puncho – Oxford Scholarship holder and founder of the Loden Foundation – believes this leadership philosophy can guide anyone on the path to success in life, business, and beyond.
Dr. Phuntsho is a proud native of Bhutan, a small kingdom deep in the Himalayas. Thanks to his unique history, he first discovered the benefits of mindful leadership. After studying as a Buddhist monk for more than a decade, he received his PhD. at Oxford, worked as an academic researcher at Cambridge, and was the first Bhutan Fellow.
“These different perspectives are combined in my scientific work,” said Dr. blow. “I present a traditional view and a modern view. Our world is rich in different perspectives and points of view. I’m happy to be able to explore both of these paths. As a self-proclaimed “mediator” combining Western business philosophy with Buddhist traditions, Dr. Puncho has exciting ideas about humanity, culture, economics, and how leadership relates to them. Together.
Nothing proves this more than the Loden Foundation, their non-profit organization for budding Bhutanese entrepreneurs built on care, innovation, and tradition. At the Loden Foundation, Dr. Phuntsho is not just about creating a thriving business network from Bhutan. It must also shape tomorrow’s entrepreneurs as a force for good in their communities and worldwide.
Creating a future for wise entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurship did not exist in Bhutan until recently – at least in today’s sense. Closed to most outsiders until the 1970s, this small country still works primarily with traditional agricultural practices and sustainable Buddhist culture
With Bhutan’s slow opening up, access to modern education has also opened up. These changes should create tremendous new opportunities and some unexpected challenges for the people of Bhutan. “Because they entered high school, many graduated and didn’t want to go back to farming like their parents,” said Dr. blow.
Initially, the Bhutanese government hired him to work in the state. But as more and more students graduate, every social role is soon fulfilled. Without the private sector there to employ them, these educated citizens cannot find work. “Youth unemployment has become a new problem,” recalls Dr. blow. It is not only graduates who have difficulty in the job market. Unemployment also increases crime and drug abuse, something Bhutan has rarely encountered before.
In 2008, drg. Phuntsho founded the Loden Foundation with a small group of colleagues to meet this growing challenge. The non-profit organization supports entrepreneurship in Bhutan through education, inspiration, and community relations. In addition, they offer interest-free and secured loans through the Loden Entrepreneurship Program, which links repayment plans to the company structure.