Sustainability is a concept that is growing rapidly in the business world. No longer
focused on solely “being green,” sustainability is about looking to the future and
seeing a grander vision beyond a company in and of itself. It is about responsibly
managing and coordinating the ongoing success and prosperity of the environment,
the community, and society at large. Businesses who are practicing sustainability
are growing in success and popularity because they are benefiting so many, and
because stakeholders of such organizations feel a sense of purpose in being a part of
them.
As leaders and managers, it is beneficial to model sustainable businesses so as to
make a positive impact on both those who work for us, and on the very organization
we represent. Sustainable organizations have the foundational elements of being
supportive, vision-driven, responsible, growth-oriented, collaborative, and
resourceful. Adopting these elements of sustainability as a leader will ultimately
encourage more effective leadership and make a positive impact on the work
environment.
Sustainable Leaders are Supportive
To sustain, by definition, is to support or hold up. A sustainable leader seeks way to
support its team. Encouraging employees to take ownership and to strive for
personal excellence is a great way to support employees. Modeling how to take
ownership and offering praise when ownership is taken are great ways to uphold
them. But more importantly, to truly support employees, leaders need to help them
to seek out and find the resources that they need to achieve excellence.
Sustainable Leaders are Vision-Driven
Sustainability is ultimately about looking to the future. It is about seeing the greater
picture. Sustainable leaders enable those around them to thrive by encouraging
them to see beyond the here and now. Whether encouraging others to grow so they
can become a better individual or sharpen skills, or furthering the mission and
vision of a company, sustainable leaders are ultimately focused on empowering
those they lead to lead others.
Sustainable Leaders are Responsible
Sustainable organizations are known for practicing ethical responsibility.
Sustainable leaders practice self-control rather than trying to control others. They
proactively consider their actions and behaviors and they take responsibility for
them. They don’t blame when unfortunate circumstances unfold; rather, they take
ownership and seek ways to overcome adversity. People love to work with and for
these types of leaders, and a system of support tends to unfold when people are
surrounded by such behavior.
Sustainable Leaders are Growth-Oriented
Sustainability encourages growth. Sustainable leaders are committed to being life-
long learners. They do not ever see their state in life, or in an organization, as static
or complete. There is always more knowledge to gain, more ideas to offer, more
goals to set, and they encourage those around them to follow suit.
Sustainable Leaders are Collaborative
Sustainable businesses are constantly working collaboratively within their
organization and with other organizations to ensure betterment for all. Sustainable
leaders equally seek out ways to create a sense of team, where people enjoy
contributing. These leaders create opportunities for team building and
collaboration to take place, therein developing a sense of community and culture.
Sustainable Leaders are Resourceful
Sustainable businesses look to make use of the resources they have, rather than
depleting the energy around them. Likewise, sustainable leaders are flexible and
look at the strengths of employees and encourage them according to each unique
situation. Sustainable leaders don’t deplete employees of energy nor of value. They
seek out solutions by using the people and facilities before them and, again,
encourage others to benefit the very organization that hired them to use their
strengths.
Working towards sustainability as a leader is sure to bring positive results to the
workplace and beyond.