Leadership
Exemplary cases of sustainability leadership and intrapreneurship, and the qualities, ethical principles and/or dilemmas inherent within them.
Survey: COVID-19 Is Intensifying Sustainability Challenges, But Not Derailing Corporate Action
2021 Sustainability Leaders Survey examines attitudes of nearly 700 experts from over 70 countries, reflecting on the pandemic’s implications for sustainable social and environmental development agendas — and who is perceived to be leading the charge.
When Purpose Becomes Personal: The Role of the Individual in Organisational Purpose
Cross-Posted from Organizational Change. There are many challenges to implementing corporate purpose effectively. One of the biggest is to sufficiently embed it, so it is owned by everyone. This is more challenging than embedding other corporate ideas, because purpose is personal.
Transform to Net Zero: What Collective Climate Action Looks Like, One Year On
Cross-Posted from Collaboration. In July 2020, Transform to Net Zero launched as a cross-sector initiative to accelerate the transition to a net-zero global economy, and inspire other global leaders to do the same. What does progress looks like one year on, and what happens next in the lead-up to COP 26?
Leading Brands Share Mix of Success Stories, Cautionary Tales at SB’21 Madrid
Cross-Posted from Walking the Talk. While showcasing brands leading the charge toward sustainability — including Interface and Tony’s Chocolonely — SB’21 Madrid gave equal weight to just how much work we have left to do: Only 13% of companies can accurately deem themselves “sustainable.”
US Demand for CSOs Grew 228% in 10 Years, But Diversity Remains a Challenge
The good news: According to a new report from the Weinreb Group, hiring of Chief Sustainability Officers surged in 2020 in the US, and women now account for 54% of CSO positions. The not-so-good news: The field remains overwhelmingly white.
Bridging the Missing Link in Purposeful Business: How Women Are Addressing Sustainability, Equality
Cross-Posted from From Purpose to Action: Building a Sustainable Future Together. Dow is committed to supporting women at every level of its business — so that, as doors open to the next generation of female leaders, so do new ideas for delivering sustainable solutions.
Sustainable Brands Pursues Broad-Based Business Transformation
Cross-Posted from Organizational Change. SB announces PMI as the first graduate of its Voyager program — established to support the transformation of brands that face significant challenges related to ESG performance and reputation.
8 Mental Models for Wise Leadership in a VUCA World
Wise leaders build agile, inclusive and sustainable businesses. But how can you do that in times of crisis? Here are 8 mental models for building inner resilience to take responsible and sustainable actions in VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) situations.
What Will Be Your Organization’s Authentic Purpose in 2021?
Cross-Posted from Walking the Talk. The power of authentic purpose comes from integrating it into an organization such that it generates shared value for all stakeholders. Here are my suggestions for organizations to define and integrate a truly authentic, activated purpose.
B Lab Outlines How, Why to Adopt Public Benefit Governance with New Playbook
Cross-Posted from Walking the Talk. More and more businesses are embracing the idea of stakeholder capitalism, but many are likely at a loss as to how to actually adapt their business models. B Lab’s new playbook is designed to help purpose-driven companies do just that.
Prince Charles’ ‘Terra Carta’ Urges Business, Finance to Put Nature at Heart of 2030 Recovery Plan
Inspired by the Magna Carta, the ‘Terra Carta’ (Earth Charter) calls on CEOs from around the world to engage and play their part in leading the global transition to a low-carbon future by 2030.
What Does It Really Mean to Call ‘Society’ Your Stakeholder?
For Sweden and its business leaders, an inclusive society and economy is both a matter of principle, and a source of resiliency and success over the long term. Of course, we’re not all Swedish — so how can others adopt the same mindset?
Purpose Governance: A New Role for Boards
Boards and the executives and advisors they hire need to be proficient in Purpose Governance, which will put their organizations on a viable path that creates value for the company and the society on which it depends.
Governance in the New Decade: The Rise and Rise of Boardroom ESG
ESG governance is now an established imperative for boards; and a new report sheds light on steps companies should pursue to ensure the long-term viability of their organizations.
UN Business and Human Rights Forum, Day 2: What’s New in Mandatory Human Rights ’Due Diligence’ Law?
Cross-Posted from Supply Chain. Companies are obliged to monitor and manage environmental and human rights standards in their supply chains. This week saw major steps forward in support for enforcing human rights due diligence by law, as well as major debates in shaping the new laws. Here are my 10 takeaways from the debates.
Why a Solutions-Focused Mindset Is Essential for Creating a Sustainable Future
Rather than dwelling on problems, a solutions-centered focus — within individuals, organizations, governments, etc — naturally leads to breaking negative feedback loops, feelings of hopelessness, and cycles of redundant and unproductive work.
Using Built Environment Strategies to Achieve 2030 Sustainability Goals
Cross-Posted from Product, Service & Design Innovation. As a CSO or COO of a company striving for sustainability, what contribution can you expect of your built environment team? That’s the question we address in this first of a series of articles about decarbonization, regeneration and circularity in the built environment.
With Purpose, as with Anything Else: You Get What You Pay For
Cross-Posted from Organizational Change. First, identify your company’s purpose. Then, set long-term goals against your purpose. Finally, define targets, metrics and KPIs to get you there; and embed these in annual and long-term incentive plans.
Google Has Erased Its Entire ‘Carbon Legacy,’ Sets Sights on 100% Carbon-Free Power
Cross-Posted from Cleantech. Google was the first major company to become carbon neutral, in 2007. Now, the tech giant says it is the first company in the world to eliminate its entire carbon footprint.
The Moonshot Approach: 5 Critical Elements of Transformational Leadership
As part of its #abetterway project, Quiero is asking how the sustainability and business equation will be affected by COVID-19. Here, we reflect on the future of business leadership based on Quiero’s conversations with 100 world leaders in the Americas, Asia and Europe.
