You’re in a sustainability job and want to show leadership. What’s the best way to demonstrate it?

If you work in sustainability, you know how important it is to make a positive impact on the environment and society. But how can you also make a difference in your organization and advance your career? Showing leadership is not only about having a title or a position, but also about having a vision, a voice, and a value. Here are some tips on how to demonstrate leadership in your sustainability job.

1 Know your purpose

Leadership starts with knowing why you do what you do. What is your personal and professional mission in sustainability? How does it align with your organization's goals and values? Having a clear purpose can help you communicate your passion, inspire others, and guide your decisions. It can also help you find opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute to your field.

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Jesús Tortosa del Valle

Fundador en Inchange impact company | Consultor en regeneración empresarial, ESG, Inversión de Impacto | Responsable de Sostenibilidad en AMICA | ACUMEN fellow
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La mejor manera de liderar es a través de la humildad y la escucha. En los tiempos que corren sólo las empresas que saben escuchar con detenimiento a la Sociedad son las que son capaces de interiorizar estas necesidades y poder responder en consecuencia, liderando. Hoy en día, un líder debe ser ejemplo vivo de lo que predica, pero para ser creíble debe ser lo suficientemente humilde como para que su ego no obstaculice su crecimiento.

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Thomas Le Cardinal 🌍✨

Sustainable Mobility Expert @Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale 🎓 MBA ESG 🃏 Climate Fresk & Digital Collage 🌎 Team for the Planet 💚 Shifters
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Pour faire preuve de leadership dans le domaine du développement durable, un bon conseil est de construire son discours autour de quelques messages clés liés à la raison d’être et à la mission de l’entreprise. Diffusez ce discours de manière cohérente dans des communications internes et externes, lors de webinaires, conférences, podcasts.

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Yani Sinulingga
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There is no better way than the leader with a sense of purpose, align it with the organisation goal then you could easily inspire and push the team forward. Know first your goal within the organisation !

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Priyabrata Mishra

Deputy Director and State Head, ASSOCHAM, Odisha | 15+ Years Driving Impact in Entrepreneurship, Skill Development, CSR, ESG, Education, R&D, Sales, Marketing, Communication, Branding | Dedicated to Positive Change
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Lead by example by implementing sustainable practices in your work, such as reducing waste and energy consumption. Initiate company-wide sustainability projects, like implementing a recycling program or organizing volunteer events for environmental causes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate sustainability into business strategies and inspire others to take action towards a greener future. For instance, spearheading a campaign to switch to renewable energy sources within the organization or implementing a carbon offset program for business travel.

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2 Build your network

Leadership is also about building relationships with people who share your purpose or can support it. You can network with your colleagues, managers, mentors, peers, clients, partners, and stakeholders. You can also reach out to experts, influencers, and communities in sustainability. Networking can help you exchange ideas, insights, and feedback, as well as collaborate on projects, initiatives, and campaigns. It can also help you raise your profile, reputation, and influence in your organization and industry.

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3 Solve problems

Leadership is also about solving problems that matter to you, your organization, and your stakeholders. You can identify problems by analyzing data, trends, and impacts, as well as listening to feedback, complaints, and suggestions. You can then propose solutions by researching best practices, innovations, and alternatives, as well as designing plans, strategies, and actions. Solving problems can help you demonstrate your skills, knowledge, and creativity, as well as add value, improve performance, and create change.

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4 Share your story

Leadership is also about sharing your story with others. You can tell your story by using different channels, formats, and platforms, such as reports, presentations, blogs, podcasts, videos, and social media. You can also tailor your story to different audiences, purposes, and contexts, such as internal or external, informative or persuasive, formal or informal. Sharing your story can help you showcase your achievements, challenges, and learnings, as well as engage, educate, and influence others.

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Bronwyn Hall McLoughlin

Sustainability Change Agent | Change and Transformation Leader | MSc - Sustainability | B Leader | Climate Educator | Non-Executive Director
(edited)
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In my experience, one of the most effective ways to share CSR stories is to have colleagues share their stories in their own words - as a leader, you are the catalyst for other's voices. Whether it's your Town Hall, your Yammer/Slack/social channel, or a simple employee get-together, encouraging others to share their successes, positive outcomes as well as the business and personal benefits of CSR is a great motivator and education tool for all employees, and can ensure CSR seems accessible and relevant to everyone.

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5 Seek feedback

Leadership is also about seeking feedback from others. You can ask for feedback from your managers, mentors, peers, clients, partners, and stakeholders. You can also seek feedback from experts, influencers, and communities in sustainability. Feedback can help you learn from your successes and failures, as well as identify your strengths and weaknesses. It can also help you improve your performance, quality, and impact, as well as develop your skills, knowledge, and confidence.

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6 Keep learning

Leadership is also about keeping learning new things. You can learn by reading books, articles, reports, and case studies, as well as attending courses, webinars, workshops, and events. You can also learn by doing projects, experiments, and challenges, as well as joining groups, clubs, and programs. Learning can help you stay updated, curious, and adaptable, as well as discover new opportunities, perspectives, and solutions.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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You’re in a sustainability job and want to show leadership. What’s the best way to demonstrate it?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Know your purpose

2 Build your network

3 Solve problems

4 Share your story

5 Seek feedback

6 Keep learning

7 Here’s what else to consider

Corporate Social Responsibility

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You’re in a sustainability job and want to show leadership. What’s the best way to demonstrate it?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Know your purpose

2 Build your network

3 Solve problems

4 Share your story

5 Seek feedback

6 Keep learning

7 Here’s what else to consider

Corporate Social Responsibility

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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