CSRD and Hansei: The Practice of Self-Reflection

In business, setbacks—whether minor or major—offer valuable opportunities to pause, think, and recalibrate. Let’s not miss this chance to stand back, analyse, and reflect.

The world is watching how sustainability professionals navigate the CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) challenges.

How effectively we communicate those challenges and our joined-up approach to resolving them is just as important as the solutions themselves.

There has never been a more critical time to unite, standardise, and conjure up in the minds of onlookers the image of a cohesive, collaborative community making a concerted effort to tackle the most pressing challenges of our time. By living up to our promise, we can win the hearts and minds of advocates, inspire supporters, and attract new talent into the vital world of sustainability. Let’s lead by example and turn CSRD implementation challenges into a success story.

Hansei: The Practice of Self-Reflection

I recently visited Japan and learned about "Hansei" (反省), the ritual that involves taking a step back and self-reflecting…

• Meaning: Hansei translates to "self-reflection" or "introspection." It is a deeply ingrained cultural practice in Japan that encourages individuals to critically evaluate their actions, acknowledge mistakes or shortcomings, and identify ways to improve moving forward.
• Application: Hansei is commonly practiced in both personal and professional contexts. In business, it is often used after the completion of a project or task to reflect on what went well, what did not, and how processes can be improved for the future.
• Mindset: The spirit of Hansei is not about self-criticism or blame but about continuous improvement and humility. It embodies the belief that there is always room to grow and learn.

Hansei aligns perfectly with the approach of using setbacks as opportunities to pause, reflect, and create a thoughtful path forward. It’s a practice that fosters growth, resilience, and unity, making it a powerful concept for sustainability professionals to embrace in navigating challenges.

Learning Lessons from the First Round of CSRD Implementation

1. Take Time to Analyse the First Round

• Objective: Conduct a thorough evaluation of the first wave of CSRD implementation to identify what worked, what didn’t, and why.
• Actions:
• Output: A detailed lessons-learned report highlighting key trends, successes, and failures.

2. Articulate the Challenges, Issues, and Blockers

• Objective: Clearly define the obstacles that emerged during implementation.
• Actions:
• Output: A comprehensive list of challenges and blockers, prioritized by their impact and urgency.

3. Develop Solutions for Each Challenge

• Objective: Design targeted solutions to address each identified challenge effectively.
• Actions:
• Output: A solutions matrix linking each challenge to actionable, tested interventions.

4. Take Time to Test Solutions

• Objective: Validate the effectiveness of proposed solutions before widespread implementation.
• Actions:
• Output: Refined, field-tested solutions with clear implementation guidelines.

5. Standardize Sustainability Reporting as a Core Solution

• Objective: Ensure sustainability reporting is consistent, comparable, and meaningful across all sectors and regions.
• Actions:
• Output: A standardized sustainability reporting framework embedded within CSRD guidelines, facilitating consistency and comparability.

This approach emphasises the importance of reflection, articulation, collaboration, testing, and standardization to build a robust foundation for CSRD implementation. By learning from the first wave and refining solutions through testing, the directive can achieve its goals of fostering transparency, accountability, and alignment with sustainability objectives.

Calling all Certified Sustainability Professionals, Contributors and Changemakers

As sustainability professionals, we have the opportunity to lead by example, not only in solving challenges but also in how we communicate our solutions and foster collaboration. To this end, I invite all proactive changemakers and solution providers to join the LinkedIn Group of Certified Sustainability Professionals

This group is more than a network—it’s a platform with a dedicated governance structure that enables the effective capture of lessons learned, promotes collaboration, and ensures a cohesive and joined-up approach to communicating proposals beyond the group. Together, we can create impactful solutions, drive progress, and demonstrate the power of a united community of sustainability professionals.

Let’s work collectively to inspire change, support each other, and advocate for best practice in sustainability reporting. Join us here: LinkedIn Group of Certified Sustainability Professionals and be part of the movement.

About the Author

Omar Hadjel, MCIM is a Certified Sustainability Consultant, Bid Support Specialist, and member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. With a unique blend of expertise in sustainability, marketing, and public procurement, Omar helps organisations navigate complex challenges, from securing public contracts to implementing impactful sustainability strategies.

Passionate about fostering collaboration and driving progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Omar is dedicated to helping businesses and professionals align their actions with global priorities. Through his thought leadership and consultancy services, he empowers organisations to achieve measurable social, economic, and environmental benefits.

Omar is also the founder of the LinkedIn Group of Certified Sustainability Professionals, where he facilitates collaboration and knowledge sharing among sustainability experts worldwide. Join the conversation and be part of the solution: LinkedIn Group of Certified Sustainability Professionals.