Paper Napkin Wisdom - Podcast And Blog For Entrepreneurs, Leaders And Difference-makers

In the sixth installment of the Freedom by Design series, Michael Walsh distills a transformative idea on a literal paper napkin: The Social Contract. It’s a powerful reframing of the unspoken expectations that define the relationship between companies and their employees. More than a list of responsibilities, it’s a shared agreement—designed not just for performance, but for mutual growth.  Michael, founder of Walsh Business Growth, has long championed the notion that businesses should be engines of human flourishing—not just economic engines. In this episode, he puts that belief into structure, separating the contributions of the owner/company and the individual employee, and then aligning them toward a greater shared purpose.  “You don’t build a business. You build people—and people build the business.” —Michael Walsh, Ep. 256  The left side of the napkin reflects the company’s obligations: generate individual and collective results, build a strong culture, and move meaningfully toward a larger purpose. T