How do you inspire and motivate others to join your sustainability efforts and become leaders themselves?

As business leaders we have a unique opportunity to drive change, collaborate and reset our planet's trajectory. To leave a legacy. Leveraging 9 years of leading an impact business, my top takeaways: ? Make a commitment to improve the lives of everyone you and your business touches. From customers and suppliers to employees and the wider community. ? Take ownership of your impact. Beyond anything I believe we need to let our guard down, collaborate to share challenging areas and best practices. It's not a game of keeping up appearances. It requires compassion and brutal honesty. ? Refuse tick box exercises, pursue deeply invested action. Leading with authenticity, in turn, creates a culture that others can buy into and own.

Crafting a compelling story around sustainability efforts requires a clear vision, purpose, and understanding of the benefits and challenges associated with pursuing it. Asking right questions is the key and Why do you care about this issue? is the most important question before you begin this journey

A car can be a work of art, but if it can't transport people from point A to point B, it fails to serve its purpose. Similarly, as a leader, your efforts toward sustainability must go beyond mere appearances. You must authentically demonstrate the essence of your why to others. What truly matters is your why—the driving force behind your success. It is the compass that directs your actions and connects with others. When your sustainability efforts are aligned with a meaningful purpose, they become a powerful change agent.

We need to understand the why, what, and how to inspire others with sustainability. Acknowledging challenges is important, as is linking efforts to personal values. Emotional connection and presenting our mission as a shared journey can amplify impact and foster a culture of sustainability.

A family member transitioned and left breadcrumbs. I had to decide whether to follow or not. Ultimately, I had to commit unconditionally to practicing being better, and I couldn't return to that person. I threw caution to the wind in July 2015, and my life changed. As of July 2015, I have read statements like this: Choice equals destiny and is determined by decisions. Your intuition has more information than your conscious mind can access. Without your knowing, you attract people or experiences in your life that you do not want. But these experiences serve as teachers for the good of learning. Accept the power to change direction at a moment’s notice and do not give in to external stress or pressures. Ire O!

The philosophy of "lead by example" has always resonated with me. It emphasizes the importance of actions over words and sets a powerful example for those around us. When we embody the values and behaviours we want to see in others, we inspire a culture of integrity and dedication that fosters trust and respect. It can be challenging to lead by example – it requires taking responsibility and vulnerability in facing challenges. But the rewards are immeasurable as we create a motivated, committed, and ethical community. Let's strive to lead by example in our personal and professional lives and set the bar for others to follow.

Leading by example is about more than just talking the talk; it's about walking the walk. As a leader, I understand that my actions speak louder than words when it comes to sustainability. I am committed to showcasing what can be achieved through concrete actions, thereby inspiring and motivating others to follow suit.

Visibility of sustainability in the supply chain demonstrates commitment to influencing positive changes in your supplier base. You can set a fine example by implementing sustainable procurement strategies and policies, and collaborating with your vendors.

Absolutely! Leading by example is a compelling way to inspire others and ignite positive change. ?? By sharing our successes and failures, we create an environment that encourages learning and growth. It's not just about talking the talk; it's about walking the walk and showing through our actions the positive impact we can make. A great read! ??

I live by this model and don't expect my team to do anything I can't do or am unwilling to do! I'm always learning new things and encourage everyone to do the same. It's the fuel for passion and success!

Inspiring others extends beyond motivation; it involves empowering individuals to take initiative and become leaders themselves. As a leader, I am committed to cultivating an environment that nurtures empowerment and offers the support needed for individuals to flourish. This means granting autonomy, providing resources, and fostering a safe and inclusive space for ideas and concerns to be shared. By doing so, I enable others to realize their full potential and contribute meaningfully to our collective goals.

Empowerment and support enable teams to grow and thrive. Trust, resources, and ownership lead to progress and innovation. Let's encourage and support one another for success.

I agree, sometimes all that is needed is an opportunity. By delegating suitable work, leaders can ensure they foster the culture of inclusiveness. It’s critical to note though that the work should be delegated such that it sets people up for success.

My submission here is that in the new dispensation, we should be 1. Adaptable 2. Flexible 3. Teachable 4. Be able to improvise 5. Collaborate 6. Source valuable and usable information 7. We must be resilient 8. Leave our comfort zones 9. See solutions to every problem situation 10. Acquire several competencies and skills (wear a different hat in every situation) 11. Strive towards leaving a legacy 12. Empower, and impact people we relate with, especially young people etc

Autonomy is especially vital for genuine empowerment. Those we are empowering should be in the driving seat of any empowerment or support initiative. Gone are the days of telling people what they need to do, how they need to do it, and how we'll come back and measure it. We can provide advisory support including data and information, exposure to what works, monitoring for course correction, etc but leave the leading to them.

While collaboration and networking can bring valuable benefits, it is important to recognize the potential challenges and limitations that may arise. Working with others who share a vision and values can be beneficial, but it can also lead to compromises or dilution of one's own objectives. When multiple stakeholders are involved, conflicting priorities and interests may arise, making it difficult to achieve consensus or implement desired actions.

As professionals, we all know the value of teamwork, but do we truly understand the power of collaboration and networking? I believe that by working together, we can achieve so much more than we ever could on our own. Sharing ideas, resources, and support can foster innovation, multiply strengths, and help us overcome challenges. Furthermore, networking allows us to gain diverse perspectives and discover new opportunities. Together, these efforts allow us to drive positive change and reach our shared goals. As someone who aspires to make a difference, I cannot stress enough the importance of collaboration and networking. Let's work together to create a brighter future for us all.

We are stronger together. It's vital to align with professionals, organizations, etc. that share your goals and mission. There's much to be gained when a collective group of like-minded individuals are striving to solve the same challenges. You can learn and grow individually but also as group. Diversity of thought and perspective always leads to the most innovative solutions. Challenge yourself to learn what others are doing in your space and find ways to build connections. This will broaden your sphere of influence providing more opportunities to share your ideas. ??

Education and advocacy are crucial for creating lasting change. Education provides the foundation for understanding sustainability, and we must make it accessible to all. Advocacy involves standing up for what we believe in and inspiring others to do the same. Intertwining education and advocacy can create a domino effect of knowledge and passion toward a more sustainable world. Let's prioritize these actions today for a better tomorrow.

Employees are the backbone of any successful initiative. ?? But… If they can't recognize the inherent value or see the tangible benefits, these initiatives never make it to their priority list. Companies are juggling numerous initiatives, from digital transformation to sustainability endeavors. ?? Unfortunately, these projects often compete for attention and resources, diminishing their collective impact. Employees have a limited bandwidth and in a world filled with choices, they are becoming increasingly discerning about where to invest their time and energy. ?? Bottom Line: If you want to elevate sustainability to the top of your agenda, getting widespread buy-in and engagement, make it the priority 2nd to nothing else.

Believing in the power of inspiration and motivation, I am convinced that these two forces drive our actions, passions, and aspirations. As we inspire and motivate others, we set off sparks encouraging them to dream, create, and ultimately succeed. The ability to inspire is a transformative power that allows us to change the world, one person at a time. On the other hand, motivation empowers individuals to push beyond their limits, chase their dreams, and develop into their best selves. Let's embrace these powerful forces and use them to impact the world around us positively.

As a leader, in addition to educating teams about sustainability, think about how to activate sustainability locally within your office. It might start with very small steps. Make sustainability accessible and celebrate progress. One small step can have a ripple effect that has impact.

One of my biggest hurdles I faced was identifying my passion for sustainability later in life. It is an uphill climb to break into Sustainability as a career path if you have not trained for it from the beginning. Therefore, I think one of the most valuable options a leader or organization can provide to encourage more leaders in sustainability is the option to join the conversation, break into the career path even if you are not originally trained in it, and grow outside the normal flow. It is my experience that people who comes from different backgrounds can often offer new and unnoticed perspectives on a problem, which initiatives, like those for sustainability, can benefit from.