You want to make your manager more sustainable. How can you give feedback that will be heard?

Most people want to act and do well, but they don't know what to do or they are concerned to have to sacrifice some of their lifestyle/habits. It is very important to show the good benefit of a proposed change. For example, plastic bottles were available in the office and we wanted to remove them. There was a concern that people would think it was removing an acquired benefit. We explained how many bottles were used, and their impact, particularly in a country with such good quality tap water and we put fountains, both still and sparkling. They all accepted it, being proud of such move. This was saving 250,000 bottles per year. Never underestimate how ready people are to make the right changes, and the impact such action has on mindset.

Según mi experiencia con jefes quienes no toman la debida importancia a la sostenibilidad o bien, la ven solo como una moda pasajera, es prepararse muy bien y concertar una cita con ellos. Es importante tener muy claro lo que se va a decir y como abordar cada tema. Es importante conocer el impacto social, económico y ambiental de tomar desiciones acertadas. Es importante además dar a conocer la necesidad de que la sostenibilidad se convierta en una cultura de trabajo para todos los miembros de una empresa y que se adopten medidas para el cuidado el planeta y el entorno inmediato.

?? Clarifying your objectives is crucial before discussing feedback with your manager. Determine if you aim to propose specific changes, such as reducing paper usage or supporting social causes, or if you seek to raise awareness and inspire sustainable thinking. This clarity enables you to tailor your message effectively and choose the most suitable time and platform for communication. Additionally, consider outlining potential benefits and addressing any concerns your manager may have, fostering a constructive dialogue and increasing the likelihood of positive outcomes.

When providing feedback to make your manager more sustainable, clarity on your goals is paramount. Define whether you aim for specific changes like reducing paper usage or advocating for renewable energy. Alternatively, focus on raising awareness and inspiring a more sustainable mindset. Clearly outlining your objectives helps tailor your message effectively. Choose an appropriate time and communication channel that aligns with your manager's preferences, ensuring your feedback is received receptively. By understanding your goals, you enhance the likelihood of your suggestions being heard and embraced, fostering a more sustainable work environment.

Before engaging with your manager about feedback, it's essential to be mindful of your objectives. Are you seeking to advocate for a specific alteration, such as minimizing paper usage, transitioning to renewable energy sources, or endorsing a social cause? Alternatively, do you aim to cultivate awareness, provide enlightenment, or ignite your manager's interest in sustainable practices? Understanding your goals empowers you to tailor your message effectively and determine the optimal timing and medium for its delivery. This clarity enhances the likelihood of a constructive dialogue and fosters a more receptive atmosphere for your suggestions.

?? Emphasizing the benefits of sustainability enhances the impact of your feedback. Highlight how sustainability initiatives can bolster reputation, customer loyalty, innovation, efficiency, and employee engagement. Use case studies from similar organizations to illustrate successful sustainability strategies. Align sustainability with organizational mission, vision, and values, showcasing its potential to support strategic objectives. Additionally, frame sustainability as an opportunity for growth and competitive advantage, emphasizing its long-term benefits for the organization's bottom line and overall success. This positive framing encourages buy-in from decision-makers and fosters a culture of sustainability within the organization.

I would start with this - talking about the greater good and something beyond us. This always motivates people to do things for the community, planet and others.

Una vez explicado el contexto al gerente de la organización se debe hablar no solo de los beneficios sociales o ambientales, sino enfocar los beneficios a la misma organización. Por ejemplo, el ahorro económico por implementar medidas de consumo responsable. El ahorro en recolección de residuos, en agua, en gas, en gasolina, el beneficio económico de dar una imagen verde a la sociedad, y la contribución de la implementación de dichas medidas en la obtención de certificaciones que favorecen la imagen comercial y responsabilidad social de la empresa.

To ensure your feedback on sustainability is heard, emphasize the benefits for the organization. Highlight how sustainable practices can bolster reputation, foster customer loyalty, drive innovation, enhance efficiency, and boost employee engagement. Frame your input around successful sustainability initiatives in similar industries, demonstrating tangible positive outcomes. Illustrate how adopting sustainable practices aligns with the company's mission, vision, and values, contributing to overarching strategic goals. By showcasing the advantages, you not only make a compelling case for sustainability but also encourage your manager to see it as a strategic imperative rather than a potential challenge.

Highlighting how sustainability can enhance reputation, foster customer loyalty, drive innovation, improve efficiency, and boost employee engagement can significantly bolster your case. Additionally, leveraging successful sustainability initiatives from other organizations within your industry or sector can serve as compelling examples. Demonstrating to your manager how sustainability aligns with your organization's mission, vision, and values, and how it can support strategic goals, reinforces the relevance and importance of integrating sustainable practices. This approach not only promotes understanding but also encourages proactive engagement and implementation of sustainable strategies.

La mejor forma de convencer es por medio de un lenguaje persuasivo, firme, pero respetuoso. Dando un énfasis a los beneficios y en la solidaridad con la empresa y los demás empleados. Si la empresa en donde se trabaja ya cuenta con medidas o planes para alcanzar la sustentabilidad, es necesario primeramente reconocer los esfuerzos previos, pero recomendar dar seguimiento y actualización y reforzar el compromiso de todos los miembros de la empresa para que la sustentabilidad se convierta en una filosofía de la empresa y que de la empresa se lleve a todos los empleados y sus familias y al entorno social de la empresa.

?? Approaching feedback with respect and support enhances receptiveness from your manager. Acknowledge their efforts and achievements, expressing gratitude for their leadership. Maintain a positive and constructive tone, avoiding blame or judgment. Frame suggestions as opportunities for mutual success, emphasizing collaboration and shared goals. Offer assistance and resources to help overcome challenges and implement sustainable practices. Foster an environment of open communication and mutual respect, where feedback is seen as a catalyst for growth and improvement. By demonstrating empathy and understanding, you strengthen the relationship with your manager and pave the way for constructive dialogue and positive change.

To foster a culture of sustainability in the workplace, approach your manager with respect and support. Recognize their efforts and challenges without blame or judgment. Express appreciation for their achievements and convey gratitude for their commitment. Use a positive and constructive tone, avoiding negativity or emotional language. Emphasize alignment by highlighting shared goals and aspirations. Position yourself as a collaborator, eager to contribute to their success. By framing the conversation in a supportive manner, you enhance the likelihood that your feedback will be heard and considered, fostering a more sustainable and collaborative work environment.

Enhancing the reception of your feedback hinges on displaying respect and support for your manager's perspective and challenges. Steering clear of blame, judgment, or lectures prevents triggering defensiveness or resistance. Rather, acknowledge your manager's endeavors and accomplishments, expressing genuine appreciation and gratitude. Employing a positive and constructive tone while sidestepping negative or emotional language fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Demonstrating that you're aligned on the same team and eager to contribute to their success cultivates openness to your feedback. This approach nurtures a mutually beneficial dialogue and promotes a shared commitment to progress.

Understand your manager's view - he or she may know more about the company's bigger picture. For example if a company happens to be doing work for a client involved in coal mines or tar sands in another part of the business it can not simply state that none of its investments will be in those areas. Often you will not have that full picture so while what you are suggesting seems logical locally it might cause your manager issues that means he or she needs to think in a different way (hopefully involving you in the discussion)

?? Initiating dialogue with your manager to seek feedback enhances sustainability discussions. Encourage them to share insights on challenges and opportunities, fostering collaboration. Actively listening to their perspectives cultivates mutual understanding and alignment. Demonstrating a willingness to learn strengthens the relationship and promotes a supportive environment for sustainability initiatives. Integrating their feedback into proposed solutions fosters a sense of ownership and partnership, driving continuous improvement. This collaborative approach nurtures a culture of shared accountability and drives progress toward sustainable goals, reinforcing the organization's commitment to environmental stewardship.

Si se logra despertar el interés de los directivos de la empresa, es necesario apoyar en el inicio de actividades para lograr la meta de la sustentabilidad. Por ejemplo, se pueden recorrer áreas de la empresa o planear entrevistas individuales con todos los trabajadores o por medio de encuestas, para preguntar sus opiniones y la detección de áreas de oportunidad en las que se puedan implementar medidas o acciones para contribuir a la sustentabilidad. Es necesario escuchar y dejar que las personas se expresen libremente sin temor a represalias, ya que a veces las mejores ideas vienen de la parte operativa de la empresa.

To enhance the receptiveness of your sustainability feedback, initiate a two-way conversation by requesting input from your manager. Create an inclusive atmosphere by inviting them to express thoughts and concerns on sustainability. Use open-ended questions like "What opportunities and challenges do you see in our sustainability efforts?" or "How do you view our current sustainability practices?" Actively listen to their responses, demonstrating genuine interest. By seeking their feedback, you convey a collaborative approach, highlighting your respect for their insights. This not only fosters a constructive exchange of ideas but also emphasizes your commitment to learning and incorporating diverse perspectives into sustainable initiatives.

Enhancing the engagement of your feedback involves reciprocating by seeking input from your manager as well. Extend an invitation for them to share their thoughts, opinions, and concerns about sustainability, while actively listening with empathy. Employ open-ended questions that stimulate dialogue and introspection, such as "What do you perceive as the opportunities and challenges of sustainability for our organization?" or "How do you assess our current sustainability practices?" or "What are your aspirations and focal points for sustainability?" By soliciting feedback, you demonstrate that you value their insights and perspective, conveying a willingness to learn collaboratively. This approach fosters a more effective exchange of ideas.

?? Ensuring the impact of your feedback involves consistent follow-up and follow-through. Express gratitude and summarize action points after sharing feedback. Send a confirmation email outlining agreements and additional resources promised. Maintain communication to track progress and offer support. Celebrate positive changes resulting from feedback, fostering a culture of appreciation and accountability. Additionally, address any challenges or setbacks constructively, maintaining a collaborative and solution-oriented approach. This ongoing engagement reinforces commitment to sustainability and strengthens the relationship between you and your manager.

Como parte de la información que se debe llevar con la gerencia de la empresa es la propuesta de medidas de seguimiento. Poner indicadores medibles y metas para poder evaluar la evolución de las medidas implementadas. Es importante no dejar de analizar la información ni los datos. Ya que lo que no es medible no podrá ser mejorado. Esto debe de convertirse no solo en papeleo sin sentido sino darle la debida importancia para que se convierta en una herramienta eficaz para contribuir a alcanzar la sustentabilidad corporativa

Following the feedback session, express gratitude for their time and attention, summarizing key points and action steps. Subsequently, send a follow-up email or message to confirm understanding and agreement, providing any pledged additional information or resources. Maintain communication with your manager to track the progress and outcomes of your feedback, offering ongoing support and assistance. Acknowledge and celebrate any positive changes resulting from your feedback, while also providing constructive feedback as necessary. This approach demonstrates accountability, reinforces commitment, and cultivates a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.

Find a cohort of similarly minded people. Sustainability is a tricky topic as it triggers emotive and political feelings for many people and because it is moving so fast people are making mistakes or not understanding the "obvious" things. As such you can sometimes feel frustrated and even isolated. If you look across your company and the broader industry you are likely to find like-minded individuals. Start talking more with them and that will both give you a support network but also trigger new ideas and alternative approaches to driving the change