You’re starting a new job in sustainability. How can you make sure you stand out as a self-starter?

You will need to master the context in which you are working in. For example, working in the for-purpose (or not for profit) sector is very different to the listed company environment. There are different drivers for success. Not understanding that will lead to non-performance in your role.

For sustainability professionals beginning a new role, self starters must ask questions and listen, listen, and listen more. Yes, stay updated on new sustainability regulations and frameworks. But equally, if not more important, is to learn the corporate culture, how much change can be tolerated, how change is driven, and understand priorities and business drivers. Listening is paramount in building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Sustainability professionals that are great listeners and have strong relationships will be able to adeptly navigate the organization. This know how will lead to success at imbedding sustainability principles and knowledge into cross-functional teams that deliver actionable results.

To stand out in sustainability, stay informed on trends and regulations. Initiate projects aligning with company goals. Collaborate cross-functionally, emphasizing sustainability's connection to business. Continuously evaluate and improve initiatives, using data for adjustments. Develop clear communication skills to convey benefits to stakeholders. Network in the sustainability community, attend conferences, and engage professionals. Establish and report on key performance indicators. Be adaptable to evolving sustainability goals and challenges. This way your proactive approach and tangible (!) results will distinguish you as a self-starter in driving positive change.

To shine as an initiator in your new role in sustainability, first understand what your organization aims for and how it connects with global goals like the SDGs. Help ensure that your company's actions align with these goals, making a real impact on people, the environment, and business. Get involved with others in your organization, find allies who value sustainability – they'll support you in driving these initiatives. Always keep learning about sustainability, including important rules and new trends. Be open to sharing your own ideas and innovations.

Before starting the Job, First understand the organisations Sustainability Framewokr,the stakeholders both government and Non government, the existing structures that are addressing the issue of being sustainable,understanding the cureent conservation trends and how they affect sustainability. Align your work plan with that of the stakeholders....remember to prioritise the actions ...Be collaborative and communicate effectively also achieving with stakeholders one needs to be very consultative

As a new hire, you have to learn from others. But you also brought in a fresh perspective. That is why you were hired. You need to work with the team. Be a team player and be ready to share your ideas while learning from the team and imbibing the culture of the organization . Reach out to your clients . You can learn a lot from them. Working for the UN, I learned a lot from company officials that we were working with. After-all, they were the practitioners who work on these issues daily. They had a lot of experience which they gladly shared.

To stand out as a self-starter in my new role in sustainability, one thing I have found helpful is to proactively seek out opportunities for innovation and improvement, while quickly seeking opportunities for orientation, networking and collaboration in ways that demonstrate initiative in identifying and addressing emerging challenges. By taking ownership of projects and consistently seeking ways to contribute positively to innovation and sustainability initiatives, you get the chance to showcase your dedication to making a meaningful impact within the organization.

Remember, feedback is a two-way street. Be proactive in seeking constructive criticism and be gracious in receiving it. Use feedback as a tool for growth and refinement, whether it's refining sustainability strategies or enhancing communication efforts. By embracing feedback, you demonstrate a commitment to learning and adaptation in the pursuit of sustainability goals. So, don't hesitate to reach out, engage with stakeholders, and harness the power of feedback to drive positive change.

Feedback is critical, especially if you're in a company or an industry that's new to you. As a sustainability professional, you should know that it's an 'everybody's job' to achieve organisational sustainability and the fact that different functions of the organisation have different issues, challenges and sustainability priorities as well as different and even conflicting opinions and understandings on the very concept of corporate sustainability. You should not only be ready to seek feedback and learn from others.

Act on the feedback you receive and consistently seek opportunities for self-improvement. Use feedback as a guide to refine your approach, enhance your skills, and align your work with the organization's goals. Demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning and improvement by incorporating feedback into your projects, adapting to changing circumstances, and staying informed about industry trends. This not only highlights your self-starter mentality but also positions you as a valuable asset to the sustainability team, contributing to ongoing progress and success. Regularly assess your performance, make necessary adjustments, and showcase your growth to reinforce your dedication to excellence.

La construcción de alianzas es un factor importantísimo para la sostenibilidad social, medioambiental y económica. Pero no basta con generar contactos o compartir experiencias, que ya es, sino que hay que cooperar. Crear alianzas que no solo se vean bien, sino que sean verdaderamente buenas, útiles y que generen un impacto real. Por eso hablo de cooperación, que implica trabajar en conjunto. Si dedicásemos tanto tiempo a buscar formas de cooperación para generar valor como tradicionalmente se dedica a analizar la competencia para superarla, la economía sería distinta. Así que en resumen: Sí, en el camino hacia la sostenibilidad es imprescindible construir relaciones para cooperar.

Collaboration is the cornerstone of sustainability efforts within any organization. By fostering strong relationships across departments and disciplines, individuals can leverage diverse perspectives and expertise to drive meaningful change. Networking and empathetic listening lay the foundation for building trust and understanding among colleagues, partners, and mentors. Moreover, demonstrating appreciation and recognition for others' contributions fosters a culture of mutual support and respect, essential for sustained collaboration and collective success. In essence, cultivating meaningful relationships is not only beneficial for personal growth and satisfaction but also instrumental in achieving shared sustainability objectives.

One thing I have found very useful is working together with like minded people as well as bring on board those that are still not convinced about the value of sustainability. It is about collective action. No one sector- government, business or civil society can do it alone. We must work together for the good of people, planet and planet. Men, women, young, old, people with different abilities, etc. We must work together to ensure we live no one behind.

Construir una red profesional y trabajar en tu networking es clave para cualquier actividad hoy en día. Aumenta tu red en LinkedIn día tras día, participa de eventos y actividades de networking y busca congresos o workshops relacionados con tu industria. Conecta incluso con tu competencia. Todos son importantes como red. El que compite contigo en algo hoy, puede ser tu aliado ma?ana.

Los vanity managers son aquellos que desprecian por igual la empresa en la que trabajan y la responsabilidad social de la misma, y a los que sólo les empuja el objetivo personal de ser alabados y que por lo tanto se mueven al ritmo de modas, dimes y diretes que les permitan en cada momento obtener esa meta. Los VMs solo usan la sostenibilidad mientras les de los resultados que desean. ?La parte buena?, Démosles un espacio en un seminario internacional, una columna en prensa, un premio a su labor social y así, elevando su ego, aprovechemos el tirón para que hagan cosas buenas que lo sean por sí mismas y que puedan permanecer en el tiempo para beneficios de todos. Su vanidad no les hará darse cuenta de quien estará aprovechándose de quien…

In the realm of sustainability, challenges are not roadblocks but stepping stones to progress. Embrace them as opportunities to innovate and drive meaningful change in the face of skeptical stakeholders and broader audiences. Whether it's devising strategies to reduce carbon footprint or ensuring ethical sourcing in supply chains, each challenge presents a chance to make a tangible difference. To stand out, seize these challenges with a proactive approach. Dive into issues like promoting biodiversity conservation or developing circular economy models with enthusiasm and determination. Collaborate with experts across disciplines to craft holistic solutions that address complex sustainability issues.

Demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning by staying informed about the latest trends, technologies, and innovations in sustainability. Regularly engage with industry publications, attend conferences, webinars, and workshops, and actively participate in relevant professional networks. Being well-informed not only enhances your knowledge but also positions you as a forward-thinking professional who can bring fresh ideas and insights to the organization. Share your findings with your team and propose innovative solutions to challenges, showcasing your proactive approach and adding value to the sustainability initiatives.

One key concept to understand and keep in mind is the "Wicked Problems" approach. Most of the sustainability matters and interventions are typical wicked problems, which are complex and do not have straightforward solutions. When you seemingly succeed in solving one part of the problem, it may open another can of worms and so on. Therefore, these wicked problems can more often than not, can only be navigated with an adaptive and receptive mindset. It is absolutely crucial, especially for a highly motivated and energetic newbie in a sustainability role, to have this mindset to be realistically optimistic at work and not to get demotivated or burnt out.

Navigating the complexities of sustainability requires a multifaceted approach that embraces challenges as opportunities for growth and innovation. Rather than shying away from difficulties or setbacks, it's crucial to approach them with curiosity and creativity. By asking questions, researching solutions, and experimenting with new approaches, individuals can uncover novel pathways toward sustainable solutions. Furthermore, resilience and optimism are essential qualities for overcoming obstacles and setbacks.

Be curious. Keep your passion for CSR and keep learning about changes in the field and how companies, countries and individuals are turning the tides. Be ready to inspire people - you need to be the role model if you want to embed lasting change. In my experience, CSR never goes to plan, so you've got to have plan B ready and prime your team to not take any outputs/engagement too personally - instead ask whether the timing was right, or if you did enough Comms work in the run up. Did you have enough sweeties to entice people to see what you're up to?! Better yet, ask your employees what they want, and support it into being, whilst holding your delivery team accountable. Like you might with any other personnel development.

Check whether “impact” you and your organization or project is looking at is truly altruistic and/or win-win logic for foreseeable timeframe. Not to falling into a short term self-satisfying agenda. Also, how you do is equally important to what you do. Consider “hidden curriculum”

Sustainability skills are predicted to be among the Top 10 Most In-Demand skills for the workplace in 2024 (Forbes, 2023), as businesses increasingly recognize the crucial need for sustainable operations with minimal environmental impact. Therefore, regardless of the career path you choose, it would be advantageous to equip your knowledge with the basics of sustainability and a keen ability to identify and implement green solutions at work.

In the dynamic landscape of sustainability, continuous learning is not just beneficial—it's essential. Keeping abreast of emerging trends, technologies, and best practices ensures that individuals remain relevant and effective in their roles. Moreover, expanding one's skill set beyond core competencies enhances versatility and adaptability in tackling complex sustainability challenges. Setting clear learning goals, actively seeking out resources, and tracking progress are fundamental to personal and professional development. Equally important is the willingness to share insights and experiences with others, fostering a culture of knowledge exchange and collaboration.

Stay informed about the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in sustainability. Attend workshops, conferences and online courses to expand your knowledge and skills in this field. Be open to feedback and be willing to adapt your approach based on new information and insights.

Identify opportunities to collaborate with colleagues from different departments and showcase the interdisciplinary nature of sustainability. Actively seek projects where your sustainability expertise can contribute to solving broader organizational challenges. Collaborating with diverse teams demonstrates your versatility and highlights the interconnectedness of sustainability with various business functions. By integrating sustainability into cross-functional initiatives, you position yourself as a proactive team player who understands the relevance of sustainability across the organization.

Having pivoted myself from shipping oil and gas to sustainability consulting - albeit having dealt with sustainability topics in those industries for a several years now - I would say read, listen and watch more. Find time to ingest new ideas, developments and trends is important to helping u form your own opinion. This is particularly important if you have come from a “non sustainability” background. Developing our opinion counts because it shows up in your conversations, telling people what issues are important for you and why.

Unlearn, learn and implement. It is essential to understand the needs of the new organisation and then cocreate a project. Understand the stake holders is very critical. There is no single solution. If one project worked out in earlier organisation there is no guarantee that it would fit in here too. So understanding and planning is critical.

Always try to know more and understand your context and the holistic corporate sustainability and ESG landscape, while not getting carried away with feel-good CSR work. Even if you're in tech, read and learn about agriculture, water, and human development. The more knowledgeable and open-minded you are, the more competent you will be in devising and executing holistic sustainability strategies that benefit your organisation.

In the dynamic field of sustainability, be adaptable to changing circumstances and open-minded to diverse perspectives. Embrace uncertainty as an opportunity for innovation and learning. Demonstrate your ability to navigate ambiguity, pivot strategies when necessary, and remain receptive to emerging sustainability trends. Being adaptable and open-minded not only showcases your resilience but also positions you as an individual who can thrive in the evolving landscape of sustainability. This mindset enables you to proactively contribute to innovative solutions, making you an invaluable asset in driving sustainability initiatives forward.

A new joiner in a sustainability team can benefit from documenting a maximum of elements: - initial research the person made before joining the company - first observations - insights gained from discussions with internal and external stakeholders - goals and KPIs - hypothesis and experiments ideas - results of projects ... Sustainability is a journey, be sure you have your diary!