Hands holding several seashells and stones.

Should leaders prioritize profit over people?

Should Leaders Prioritize Profit Over People?

“Great News! Profits Are Up. Bad News! Everyone’s Miserable.”

1. Warm-up Questions (Discussion)

What do you think is the main responsibility of a business leader?
Can a company be successful without caring about its workers?
Have you ever worked for an employer who cared more about profit than people?
Should governments control how companies treat employees?

2. Vocabulary Exercise – Match the Words

Match the words (1–8) with their correct definitions (A–H).

Words

Profit
Workforce
Exploitation
Productivity
Stakeholders
Corporate responsibility
Well-being
Ethics

Definitions
A. The mental and physical health of people
B. The people employed by a company
C. Using people unfairly for financial gain
D. Money earned after costs are paid
E. Moral rules about right and wrong behavior
F. The amount of work produced
G. The duty of companies to act responsibly
H. People affected by a company’s actions

3. Fun Vocabulary Exercise – Choose the Best Option

Choose the correct word to complete each sentence.

A company that ignores safety is guilty of __________.
(profit / exploitation / productivity)
Happy employees often improve __________.
(ethics / productivity / profit)
Leaders must consider all __________, not just shareholders.
(workforce / stakeholders / well-being)
Paying fair wages is part of corporate __________.
(responsibility / profit / workforce)

4. Reading Article

Profit or People: What Should Come First in Leadership?

In modern society, leaders in business and politics face a difficult question: should they prioritize profit over people? Supporters of profit-driven leadership argue that financial success benefits everyone, while critics believe this mindset leads to exploitation, inequality, and social harm. As global challenges increase, this debate has become more urgent than ever.

Those who support prioritizing profit argue that strong financial performance allows companies to survive and grow. Without profit, businesses cannot invest, create jobs, or compete in the global market. From this perspective, profit is not selfish but necessary. When companies succeed financially, they can expand their workforce, develop new products, and contribute to economic growth.

Supporters also claim that profit-driven systems increase productivity. When leaders focus on results, employees are encouraged to work efficiently and innovate. Competitive environments, they argue, push organizations to improve and adapt. In the long term, this can lead to higher wages, better services, and improved living standards.

However, critics strongly disagree. They argue that when profit becomes the top priority, people are often treated as replaceable resources rather than human beings. This can result in poor working conditions, long hours, job insecurity, and low pay. In extreme cases, profit-focused leadership leads to exploitation, where workers’ rights and safety are ignored to reduce costs.

Another major concern is well-being. Employees who experience constant pressure, stress, and burnout are more likely to suffer from mental and physical health problems. While profits may rise in the short term, ignoring employee well-being can damage morale and reduce productivity over time. A workforce that feels valued is more loyal and motivated.

The idea of corporate responsibility challenges the belief that profit should always come first. According to this view, companies have ethical duties not only to shareholders but also to stakeholders such as employees, customers, communities, and the environment. Ethical leadership requires balancing financial goals with social impact.

Ethics also play a key role in leadership decisions. Just because something is profitable does not mean it is right. Practices such as avoiding taxes, harming the environment, or exploiting cheap labor may increase profits, but they raise serious ethical questions. Many argue that leaders should be judged not only by financial success but by how they treat people.

In conclusion, prioritizing profit over people may bring short-term success, but it can create long-term problems for society and businesses alike. Sustainable leadership requires balance. When leaders value people alongside profit, organizations are more likely to succeed in a way that is fair, ethical, and lasting.