Decoupling perfection and sustainability

One of the industries that caught my attention recently?was the one focused on the environment (climate tech, energy etc.). First, such companies have a transparent and self-explanatory cause of existence. Second of all, it appeared interesting to me to try and figure out whether people management practices are anyhow different in this industry from all the others. This is what brought me to the talk with Minni Tynkkynen , R&D Specialist for Sustainability of MorrowX . Follow our conversation to get the same joy I had over a discussion with her!?

• Minni, hi! Please tell us about MorrowX - what is the business idea of the company and what is your role in it??

MorrowX is an early-stage startup, focused on digital SaaS development. Our digital solutions?being developed?- website and a mobile app - are the tools to help organisations with sustainable management. While a website is more like a dashboard for managing business operations, a mobile app is a great?facilitator of sustainability awareness?and action-taking?for the?employees?and the stakeholders, introducing various challenges with the focus on environment etc. As for me, I've worn multiple hats throughout my journey at MorrowX, as of today my main role is a Sustainability Specialist,?so?focusing on Research & Development?from the sustainability perspective.

• Sustainable business - how can organisations transfer to this status? Is it a big deal to become sustainable??

First of all, it's essential to understand what sustainability actually stands for, and here we are talking about the three main pillars: economical, environmental, social. So, quite a bit of work. Therefore, I do think it's quite possible for businesses to make a change and turn into sustainable ones, yet they might need some professional help to make the process smooth and easy.?

• You're soon getting a M.Sc. in environmental politics and regional science, how do you?feel that helps?you understand the existing socio-ecological systems and their issues? Should people be aware of those generally?

Definitely, I learnt a lot in academia, becoming more aware of the climate crisis and other crucial matters. Yet, I think sustainability is quite a complex concept, so not everyone on this planet has enough resources or awareness to learn about it. I do think, however, that sustainability and environmental issues overall can be brought to the table in educational institutions even before people start their university life. The earlier people start to learn about such things, the more open-minded they are towards addressing those in the future.?

• Would you say people are managed in a?different manner within organisations with environmental focus compared to businesses in other industries??

I'd not say I'm quite familiar with the businesses outside of the environmental industry as a team member, so I may just assume that there might be the differences from the following perspectives. I believe within businesses which are focused on the environment, they tend to have softer company values and being more open towards experiment and diversity.?

• I quite agree! Seems like the current environmental issues would require more complex / innovative solutions,?and the ones which come fast. This is why, in a way, environment-focused companies might be a bit more dynamic in a sense. Yet, of course, the size of the business and many other factors should be taken into consideration.?

That's for sure!

• What are the most and least things you liked in the way you were managed as a team member throughout your work experience??

I'd not say there have been?many?things I really didn't enjoy over my professional journey?most recently, so let me perhaps concentrate on what I've found important for me. I felt most?productive and happy to be a part of the team when my opinion would matter and the results of my work - recognised. I suppose once these things are experienced by the team members, you've got to have a great and efficient team.?The only thing on the other side of the coin which I can think of?is that I've been working for some companies where I would feel that I'm being treated as a human resource solely. In my current work in MorrowX, I finally feel like I'm treated as a specialist, which helps to manage with the imposter syndrome I can feel lurking every now and then.

• Environmental Impacts Academy - can you tell me more about this project and why would you consider such projects valuable these days??

Sure. I found Environmental Impacts Academy through LinkedIn. This organisation?finds, trains and supports specialists who do Environmental LCA for companies. LCA stands for a?Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) needed to estimate the impact that a product or a service has on the environment.?I completed my environmental LCA there?and can definitely say such projects are a good start of a career path when it comes to joining the sustainability industry. I'm not working there anymore, yet still in touch with the organisation, which, in my opinion, is a good way of maintaining your network throughout a professional journey.

• How can people contribute to sustainability transformation and, in your opinion, should that initiative come from the leadership or can it be encouraged by the team members as well??

I presume what many people and organisations misunderstand is that turning towards a sustainable lifestyle doesn't mean you need to give up your way of living or business management completely. I'd face the feedback every now and then when people would be frustrated by, for instance, that they need to become vegan?all at once?in order to call your way of living a sustainable one.?

All of us can make a change by?taking?small actions, but the approach we choose for that matters. I do believe that everyone within the business can initiate the change towards sustainability. For that, you just need to lead others by your own example: spreading the knowledge on the?environmental issues?you've got, raising people's awareness on the matter etc. That would not force, but encourage people to consider new perspectives.?

Of course, the earlier you start a journey towards sustainability?personally?and?professionally?- the better. Yet, it's a continuous process, so things won't change overnight. Good news is, they don't have to.?

Not everything you do needs?to be perfect for you to act sustainably. Starting with small steps,?like just reducing your?meat consumption, is already a great and significant change!

What is your attitude towards environmental issues within the company? How would you see the way sustainability is being addressed within your network and what can you do?individually?to facilitate that?