CEOs Who Lead Beyond Profit

Leading beyond profit is no longer optional; it is an expectation from all stakeholders.

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Managing the tension between profit and purpose is a complex challenge that requires visionary leadership and strategic foresight. Earlier this week, together with my business partner Nicole, I had the pleasure of leading a CEO Panel on Sustainability Mindset in partnership with Microlino , an innovative and sustainable urban mobility vehicle company.

Our aim with this Sustainable Leadership Salon was to provide a platform for a candid, unfiltered and vulnerable exchange on lessons learnt and key challenges CEOs face on the Leading Beyond Profit journey - not a trivial task :) Here is what we discussed, highlighting key lessons from four visionary leaders: Marcel Winter , Wim Ouboter , Guido Baldini , and Patrick Richter .

1. Role Modelling Sustainability: Wim Ouboter, CEO of Micro and Microlino

The culture of sustainability starts at the top. Wim Ouboter, CEO of Micro and Microlino, emphasizes that CEOs must role model sustainable behaviors and values. When leaders visibly commit to sustainability, it sets a powerful example for the entire organization, fostering a culture where sustainability is prioritized and ingrained in everyday operations. Ouboter’s leadership demonstrates that role modelling from the top is essential in embedding sustainability into the corporate ethos.

2. Radical Collaboration: Marcel Winter, CEO of AFRY Switzerland

Engaging a broad spectrum of stakeholders and fostering collaboration across sectors is crucial for integrating sustainability into a profitable business. Marcel Winter, CEO of AFRY Switzerland, exemplifies this through his co-founding of swisscleantech . By working collaboratively with various sectors, Winter has driven substantial progress in sustainability, creating innovative solutions and amplifying impact. His approach underscores the importance of radical collaboration in achieving significant, sustainable outcomes.

3. Sustainability as Part of Corporate Culture: Guido Baldini, CEO of Interapp Group

For sustainability efforts to be successful, they must be deeply embedded in the corporate culture. Guido Baldini, CEO of Interapp Group, invested significant resources in aligning the organization around a purpose focused on sustainability. By fostering a culture where sustainability is a core value, Baldini ensured that every employee is committed to and empowered by the company’s sustainability goals. This alignment drives consistent and cohesive efforts toward sustainable practices across all levels of the organization.

4. Importance of Cash Flow and Profit: Patrick Richter, CEO of Agile Wind Power

While sustainability is essential, it must be balanced with a focus on cash flow and profit. Patrick Richter, CEO of Agile Wind Power, reminds us that without profit, no enterprise can pursue its purpose. Ensuring strong financial health enables a company to invest in sustainable innovations and practices. Profitability and sustainability are thus intertwined, with one supporting the other in a virtuous cycle. Richter's approach highlights the necessity of maintaining financial stability to support long-term sustainability initiatives.

Conclusion

The lessons from these four visionary CEOs illustrate that integrating sustainability into a profitable business is not only possible, but also essential for long-term success. By role modelling sustainable behaviors, embracing radical collaboration, embedding sustainability into corporate culture, and ensuring financial health, companies can thrive while making a positive impact on the world. As the business environment continues to evolve, these principles will be increasingly vital for leaders aspiring to create sustainable and profitable enterprises.

About Heimann Cvetkovic & Partners

World's Leading Experts in Leadership Alliances || Heimann Cvetkovic & Partners

We are an award-winning executive advisory firm working with ambitious and impact-driven CEOs, executive teams and boards across the globe. We do this by building a strategic alliance and becoming true business partners to our client's journeys.

We:

• … are NOT your average executive coaches. We are your CEO Advisory Team – your impact advisors and growth coaches. We don’t just observe on the sidelines - we immerse ourselves in your business and truly partner with you.
• … believe in a blended approach of coaching, advisory and mentorship. We don’t just ask questions. We challenge you. We share best practices and lessons learned from other CEOs. We offer options. Open horizons. We make the invisible - visible.
• … believe in a win-win world. A world in which CEOs can pursue growth and profitability while honoring their most precious resources: people and nature. We believe in the triple bottom line of People, Profit & Planet.
• … believe you are powerful beyond measure and here in this world and in this role to use your position of privilege, power and influence as a force for good. We guide you on how to continue to advance your business in a way that lifts all other constituents higher. How to design and nurture leadership alliances and identify win-win opportunities. How to create a world in which everyone wins.
• …believe that conventional CEO leadership needs to transcend way beyond the walls of the own organisation by creating leadership alliances with your C-Suite, your Board of Directors and your Ecosystem.

About the Author

Marina is an award winning Board advisor and CEO coach. She is currently a Co-CEO of Heimann Cvetkovic & Partners, boutique executive advisory firm.

Marina’s corporate background includes senior leadership roles such as Head of Finance, Head Executive Office, VP Strategy, Chief of Staff to the CEO in management consulting, financial services, executive search industry across Europe and US. In her last corporate role, she was the Vice President of Strategy and Chief of Staff to the CEO at Swiss Re, largest reinsurance company worldwide.

Marina is a member of the prestigious MG100 community alongside Dr. Jim Kim, Alan Mulally and other highly accomplished leaders and coaches. She is a member of the Forbes Coaches Council, Fast Company Executive Board and certified coach-supervisor in the EQ Coaching Certification program founded by Prof. Daniel Goleman, pioneer of emotional intelligence. Her work has been quoted and featured by UBS, Amex, Insurance Thought Leadership, ICF, Forbes and others. She is a TEDx speaker and founder, as well as a sought-after keynote speaker on leadership and boardroom related topics (WEF, The Conference Board Executive Conference in NYC, World Forum Disrupt, Global Insurtech Leaders Summit in NYC and others). She currently serves on the board of maruu in Zurich, Charterpath in London and Boarstrong in NYC.

Marina holds an MSc in Finance and is a CFA Charterholder. She completed postgraduate studies in Board Governance at Wharton, Cybersecurity at Harvard and Digital Transformation at Berkley. She holds a PCC (Professional Certified Coach) credential from the International Coaching Federation. She graduated the Institute of Excellence in Professional Coaching program in NYC and is also a certified coach-supervisor.

What's Next? Stay tuned for upcoming episodes where we'll go deeper into the leadership principles of remarkable CEOs. Feel free to share your thoughts, experiences, or topics you'd like us to cover in future newsletters!

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Keep thriving,

Marina