5 minute read
Sustainability
Calling all leaders
Bridget Williams from Bead & Proceed looks at how we all, as leaders, can address the significant sustainable impacts we face.
When we think of where leadership exists, we tend to think at the front or at the back. For instance, it’s a maritime tradition for a captain to go down with the ship and stay behind, while a leader can also rally the troops and direct the army ahead. If both ends of the spectrum are occupied, where does this leave the middle? What responsibility does the largest group of people in the centre have? Because when the obstacle or challenge requires the action of everyone, it’s not enough for one person to manage. And, unlike an iceberg or an enemy on the front line, when the challenge is invisible and uncertain, it can be hard to motivate the middle.
The challenge (or challenges) I’m referring to relates to the significant sustainable impacts we face. From the growing poverty gap to the climate crisis, there are massive pressures on all three areas of sustainability: economic, social and environmental. And, in times of crisis, it’s natural to look to leaders and seek guidance.
In fact, we don’t even need to look that far to see business leaders taking a stand for sustainability. Take, for example, Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia, who recently made the unconventional decision to transfer ownership of this business to a trust, making “Earth the only shareholder”. A bold move that sends a powerful message. In Aotearoa, we have Chloe and Florence Van Dyke from Chia Sisters, who make their natural, nutritious drinks at their solarpowered, zero-carbon juicery, which has achieved climate-positive status. These wāhine are constantly seeking sustainable improvement. There are leaders in the social space, such as Ezra Hirawani, who set up his own power company, Nau Mai Rā, with a “no disconnection policy” and, of course, mental health advocate Mike King, who founded Gumboot Friday, providing “free and timely counselling for young people”.
These individuals have both passion and courage to identify what they feel calls them to action and are taking steps towards it. But, as they venture down this path, how must it feel when they look back and see ‘the middle’ simply cheering and clapping, having not yet taken steps to follow them? Mike King summarised this feeling in an interview with The Rock recently. “I’m just tired. I can’t do it…we collectively have to f***** do something.” Taking the bold path is a lonely road and a huge burden to leave it up to a few leaders.
The truth is, now is the time for us all to be leaders. We are each responsible for making our workplace, home life, community and planet a better place. This requires us all to follow our interests, identify what we care about and take aligned action. I appreciate knowing where to start can be overwhelming. That’s why the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide an effective framework – it’s an internationally recognised list that has identified the world’s biggest issues. Start there. Familiarise yourself with the framework and, when selecting which goal to action, consider:
• What are you currently working on that is aligned with the goals?
• What are your unique strengths, connections, platforms or networks?
• Who could you collaborate with to help grow impact?
Once you have identified which SDGs you are passionate about, the next step is to do just that. Simply take action, irrespective of size, get some wins on the board, pick the low-hanging fruit, learn from your mistakes and challenge yourself to be aspirational. We need to believe in ourselves in the same way as we believe in the leaders we look up to.
The examples of leaders identified above are well-recognised and celebrated individuals. However, among the most inspiring examples of leadership I hear about are the young woman who called out a gentleman for inappropriately bodyshaming a flight attendant on Air New Zealand to his colleague, and the primary school students proudly tending to their class veggie patch, and the HR professional who is drafting a company sustainability policy and is open to learning as they go because they are starting from scratch.
So, where does leadership really exist? In all of us. Every day.
Bridget Williams is the founder of the social enterprise, Bead & Proceed, which exists to educate people about the 17 UN SDGs and inspire action towards them. Her passion for sustainability and using creativity as a tool for innovation has made her a recognised SDGs expert, assisting organisations with sustainable strategy and SDG reporting. Bridget is a selected World Economic Forum Global Shaper and member of the Asia New Zealand Foundation Leadership Network, which has led her to become a creditable global change maker. Her efforts have been recognised and endorsed by the Rt Hon Helen Clark and the JCI Osaka Outstanding Young Person’s Programme.
