Become more Impactful through Sustainable Leadership

bridge between green arrow sustainable

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.