Sustainability: the “New Great”?
Not because it is trendy or because it sounds nice, but because of its profound meaning, is why I am so passionate about the concept of sustainability. I firmly think that in order to create a sustainable future, we need to embrace current sustainable mindsets. The individuals are the key to sustainability because they design the future organizations.
Sustainability has become an increasingly important issue for businesses in recent years. More and more businesses are recognizing that sustainability is not just a nice-to-have, but a critical part of their long-term strategy. This means that sustainability leaders are being asked to play a more strategic role in their organizations, and are expected to help shape the direction of the company as a whole.
With greater focus on sustainability, there is also a growing demand for transparency and accountability from businesses. Sustainability leaders are expected to provide clear and accurate reporting on their company's sustainability practices, and to be able to demonstrate measurable progress towards their sustainability goals.
What are sustainable leaders?
Sustainable leadership is a management approach that provides solutions for environmental, social, and economic challenges in the world. It acknowledges leadership as an influence process and deconstructs silos to make leaders work collaboratively for change and transformation.
Sustainable leaders understand and embrace the growing complexity of the world, which makes them more adaptable. Most significantly, they are long-term thinkers who see people and the environment to be integral parts of the business. Guided by strong values, they undertake bold steps that prioritize the organization’s impact on future generations and not just the current quarter. With these qualities embedded in their management approach, sustainable leaders prepare the organization for success and growth.
They usually are visionary leaders who have a clear and compelling vision for the future of the company can inspire and motivate employees, stakeholders, and customers. They have the ability to see beyond the present and envision a future that is different and better than the status quo. This type of leaders is often creative and innovative, always seeking new and better ways of doing things. They are not afraid to take risks and try new things in order to achieve their vision, able to adapt to changing circumstances and adjust their vision as needed to reach their sustainable goals.
There are many authors who have written about visionary leadership and the connections with sustainability. Peter Senge is a renowned author and systems thinker who has written extensively on the topic of sustainable leadership. In his work, he has identified several key characteristics of sustainable leaders, including: a systems thinking mindset, a learning orientation, a focus on shared vision and a willingness to take action. Sustainable leaders work to create a shared vision and sense of purpose that inspires and motivates their team. They understand that sustainability challenges require collective action and collaboration across all levels of the organization. They are not content to simply talk about sustainability but they take action to implement sustainable practices and create positive change in their organizations and communities.
Jim Collins is another well-known management consultant and author who has written extensively on leadership and organizational success. In his book "Good to Great," Collins on top what Senge findings, emphasizes the importance of getting the right people on the bus before figuring out where the bus is going. In other words, visionary leaders focus first on attracting and developing talented individuals who are aligned with the organization's values and goals. On top of the importance of people in an organization I would like to underline that Collins considers that while technology can be an important enabler of success, it is not a substitute for good leadership and strategy. Visionary leaders are able to harness technology to accelerate progress towards their goals, but they do not rely on it as a solution in and of itself.
More Simon Sinek, known for his work on leadership, emphasizes the importance of leaders who put the needs of their employees and customers first, rather than focusing solely on profits or personal success. This approach, known as servant leadership (see previous blog on servant leadership), can help to build trust and loyalty within the organization. Sinek's most recent book, "The Infinite Game," argues that successful organizations are those that are able to think beyond short-term wins and losses, and instead focus on playing the "infinite game" of building something that will last for generations. Visionary leaders are able to see the bigger picture and focus on long-term success, even in the face of short-term setbacks which this means to take care of future generations. Sinek's work emphasizes the importance of purpose, empathy, and long-term thinking in achieving sustainable success.
What can be taken out from this?
I may say that sustainability is not just a trend or a passing fad, but a critical need for our future. It is a recognition that our current economic, social, and environmental systems are interconnected and that we must find a way to balance these competing demands in a way that is equitable, just, and sustainable.
In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the urgent need to address sustainability challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and social inequality. Many businesses, governments, and civil society organizations are recognizing that sustainability is not just an ethical imperative but also a strategic imperative for long-term success.
So, Sustainability it could be the "New Great" being a fundamental shift in the way we think about development and progress.
It is about redefining our goals and values to prioritize the well-being of people and the planet over short-term economic gains.
