How Can Leaders Establish Truly Sustainable Businesses?
Leaders need to help safeguard our common future. getty  We are increasingly aware of the impact of our lifestyles and working practices on the environment and society. Yet while organizations are taking actions to combat the most pressing environmental, economic and social issues of our time, their efforts are often piecemeal and lacking in substance. Today, on World Environment Day, five experts share their views on the next steps leaders need to take to create truly sustainable organizations that enrich our society. 1. Learn the skills of good citizenship  Companies need to step up and help society face the general economic, social and, perhaps above all, environmental challenges of the future and not just limit their contribution to their marketplace, explains David Logan, author of Companies For Good. He explains: They need to report to society on their economic, social and environmental impacts. Then they need to choose issues important to them and society, particularly where they have a special competence, and address these in partnership with government and the non-profit sector. Both their own future wellbeing, and the future wellbeing of society, will depend greatly on them developing the skills of good citizenship, and playing a more prominent role in the debates necessary to safeguard our common future.  2. Share your vision for growth  Businesses should aim to grow in a socially responsible way that limits their negative effects upon people and the planet. Scaling today is first and foremost about looking after your people, particularly as they return to work after what can only be called a milestone year, argues Warsha Joshi, co-author of Dare to Scale with Evan Le Clus. Some founders forget this and scale at the expense of their people, with unsustainable practices that are harmful to society.  Share your bigger vision for where the company is headed, and at the same time be open about the challenges the company is facing, Joshi advises. It should not come as a surprise that some of the best ideas to resolve company and societal challenges will come from people within your team. The more you share, the more you engage your people. And the more you engage your people, the better their contribution, wellbeing, sense of ownership and belonging within the company and society.  3. Walk the walk  Many organizations that are providing products, services or solutions that positively impact the environment fail to follow suit when it comes to their internal business practices and use of natural resources. Just recently, Richard Walker, managing director of UK frozen food chain Iceland was called out by The Sunday Times for championing green causes, yet frequently using a private helicopter for travelling. Every business, and every business leader, needs to implement a strategic energy transition plan to get to a sustainable future, explains Tim Rook, chief markets officer at Clade Engineering Solutions in the U.K. Clade itself is using heat pumps to heat its production space and is transitioning its fleet of vehicles to electric. It is also supporting its staff to continue working from home, which will improve their quality of life and reduce the carbon impact of their commute. Additionally, we have a tree planting program, which is driven by our sales, Rook reveals. 4. Embrace leading-edge technology  Making an existing business more sustainable can be challenging, explains Aidan Dunphy, principal consultant at digital consultancy Samepage . This is particularly true when it is shackled by legacy IT systems, complicated processes and hefty physical assets that can prevent the acceleration and adoption of positive change. Technology is transforming the way that businesses operate, particularly those with global reach, Dunphy continues. High-speed video conferencing can now replace the need to spend hours jetting across the word for a short face-to-face meeting. Cloud-based technology can greatly cut down paper wastage, as well as reduce the enormous amount of energy consumed by large, physical offices.  Dunphy believes that appropriate technological solutions are readily available, cost-effective and easy to implement. He says: Leaders just need to take decisive action to initiate the right digital transformation projects.  5. Prioritize employee wellbeing  Many discussions around sustainability are centered on the consumption of physical resources or the companys positive impact on wider society. Good leaders work hard to ensure people are happy and healthy at work, says Nardi. By doing this, not only do they demonstrate their compassion and empathic qualities, they protect everyones interests by fostering a positive, nurturing and productive environment. This isnt just about workplace perks such as health tracking apps, or flexible working, even though those things are important. Its an expected part of a new psychological contract between employer and employee  where safety, security, health and wellbeing are paramount.