What do you do if your boss criticizes your sustainability efforts?

Sustainability is a new concept for most businesses and most conflict has originated from misunderstanding. Practice active listening skills, ask questions to understand, and then use their perspective to change your messaging. For sustainability initiatives to take off, you need to build a robust business case that can appeal to the targets other teams in the organization have. Identify these mutually beneficial synergies to achieve liftoff.

If your supervisor or someone from the top of the hierarchy criticises your sustainability efforts, It is then imperative for you to understand the point of view of the criticism. More often than not, you will find that the people who are on top of the hierarchy tend to focus more on economic growth and not so much on the trade-offs that come with it. Sustainability, on the other hand, is not not short-term benefits but rather long term gains both from the economical and environmental point of view. What is of utmost importance here is a devised plan that demonstrates long term economical benefits as well as environmental benefits.

Seek Clarity: Ask for specific feedback to understand their concerns about the initiatives. Present Data: Show evidence of the benefits, like cost savings and enhanced brand reputation. Align with Goals: Demonstrate how sustainability aligns with the company’s objectives. Propose a Pilot: Suggest starting small to evaluate the impacts and benefits before full implementation. Request Support: Find out what resources would help make the initiatives more acceptable. Follow Up: After making changes, review the progress with your boss to show your commitment and the effectiveness of the initiatives. Addressing concerns proactively can improve your projects and strengthen your leadership.

The management of sustainable processes within the company in cases of reactive leadership needs to be highlighted with the benefits that can exist within the organization. Giving credibility to your processes, your business and exercising the same initiative with your stakeholders, generating opportunities for those involved. Consider the application of employees and extend these metrics to everyday life. Operational savings and opportunities to rate buildings or organizations on environmental, social and economic responsibility.

From my perspective, criticism can be addressed on two levels. 1. Sustainability almost always has a positive impact on costs, employee retention, reputation, or long-term resilience. However, these points often do not manifest in the short term, which is why criticism is frequently voiced due to the lack of a long-term perspective. By clarifying this, one usually also persuades their own superiors. 2. Sustainability must generally hold significance within the company or there must be individuals in higher hierarchies who view sustainability positively. If this is the case, it can be leveraged to position oneself and one's project. If this support is lacking, sustainability efforts are, doomed to fail.

Not all ideas will be winners. Not all projects are successes. I learned this the hard way. I spent 18 months running a charity and ended up giving much of the funding back. I was burned out! If I had reflected earlier in the project and reported to the board on a more consistent basis, we might have found ways to iterate earlier and change the proposition. Instead I was wedded to the initial idea. And that killed us. Honest reflection is imperative to growing a successful business.

Reflecting honestly on critique can be challenging, particularly when you are proud of your contribution. Set aside some time in your calendar (10/15 minutes will do) to reflect objectively on what you have delivered. How would someone with no expertise on the subject view it? Could you communicate your deliverables better? Not everything you touch can turn to gold, but there is likely lots to learn. Reflecting and building on the foundations we set keeps us dynamic.

It absolutely makes sense to question oneself in sustainability efforts, especially when criticism comes from various sides. Simply ask yourself whether the activity contributes to all three levels of sustainability. Are ecological, economic, and social aspects considered, or is there a imbalance? If so, consider how this can be rectified and then seek feedback from your supervisor again.

For decades, sustainability has been perceived as a "nice-to-have" in business circles. However, in today's landscape, it's transitioning into a necessity for business survival, with regulations poised to tighten further. It's crucial for every business to future-proof itself and conduct risk analyses, incorporating environmental risks into the bottom line. Shifting the language of traditional business integrating environmental discourse, e.g. ROI to SRIO (Sustainability Return on Investment), companies can drive meaningful change. Sustainability practices yield indirect benefits that impact the bottom line, including improved employee retention, reduced energy costs, and enhanced corporate reputation.

Sustainability is a novel concept for a lot of businesses. We are trying to shift a mindset which has been fixed for years on Cost Optimization, Service, and Margins, into one which can function as a force for good. As a "soft intro" emphasize these more traditional benefits wherever possible. Sustainability does not have to be self deprecating!

As with many things, leveraging an advantage argumentation is very helpful when persuading a superior. 1. Make it clear to the superior what the advantage of the measure is. 2. Explain the specific benefit that the company or department derives from the activity. 3. Explain the specific benefit that the superior gains from it. 4. Show what the next simple step would be and make it easy for them to say yes to it.

Reflecting on the critique and communicating the multifaceted benefits of our initiatives is crucial. Energy efficiency or waste reduction doesn’t just signify operational savings; they’re milestones toward a sustainable brand image that resonates with our clients and complies with environmental standards. This, in essence, cultivates a business ecosystem where profitability and planetary health are intertwined, ensuring a legacy that thrives on innovation and responsibility. Let’s use this opportunity to deepen our commitment to sustainability, paving the way for a future where our business not only grows but also positively impacts the world.??

Business, startups, projects are not one man band games. It's a team sport! So making sure you have the support network around you for the tough times is important. Nurture the friends and good connections you have in the good times and they will support you in the bad times.

This work is hard. We are inevitably pushing people, organizations, and economies to inherently change their practices and this will inevitably face a lot of pushback. Identify champions within your organization to create a support system where you work, but also stay engaged with the greater sustainability community. You have invisible teammates around the world facing the same frustrations and challenges you are, and some of them have found solutions you could learn from. Use them as a support system, but also as a sounding board for collaboration. Work to make this work personally sustainable and nourishing as well. You're no good to anyone if your burnt-out and defeated.

Sustainability is brand new for a lot of us in the workplace, and there lots to learn. In some cases (like mine!) individual passion has been turned into corporate responsibility. This can lead to "Imposter Syndrome". Don't be afraid to lean on people both inside and outside your business for support. You definitely have more to contribute than you think! Sustainability needs to be symbiotic, or we won't succeed!

When addressing challenges, it's essential to offer solutions. Here's one approach: 1) Start with quick wins, targeting easily achievable goals in achievable timelines. 2) Assess the specific challenges facing the business and tailor solutions with an environmental focus. Whether it's optimising resource usage or implementing eco-friendly practices, integrating sustainability into solutions ensures long-term viability and resilience. 3) Advocate for adoption using normative language, framing sustainability as a fundamental business aspect. Frame discussions in terms of social responsibility and ethical imperatives, encouraging stakeholders to view sustainability as a fundamental aspect of business operations rather than an optional add-on.

Pushback often stems from misunderstanding, mistrust, or perceived financial risks. Effective communication hinges on listening and comprehending criticisms. Identifying concerns and finding solutions to address them while conveying your message is crucial. It's akin to speaking their language to ensure mutual understanding. Your objective is to make saying 'yes' easier than saying 'no,' thereby facilitating smoother communication and alignment of objectives.

As a person who's more passionate than the average on this topic I read a lot about potential positive changes, large and small, and I get excited about them. I need to sometimes temper the emotion of that hope, or the disappointment if responses are less than encouraging or I not going to be permitted to focus my time or resources on them. - Prepare yourself for set-backs or blasé responses. - Management are busy and this will undoubtedly be low on their priority list. - Change is a long road, not a single hurdle.

7. Show Empathy: Understand that change can be difficult and that your boss may have concerns or pressures that you’re not aware of. Show empathy and willingness to understand their perspective. 8. Provide Education: Sometimes, criticism comes from a lack of understanding. Provide your boss with information about sustainability and its benefits to the company, such as cost savings, improved public image, and potential for innovation. 9. Demonstrate Success: Share examples of other organizations that have successfully implemented similar sustainability efforts and the benefits they’ve seen. This can help your boss see the potential positive outcomes.