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Entrepreneurial leadership is about leading by example. This applies to any company or industry. However, it is vital to grasp that leaders are often viewed under a microscope, and people may perceive certain leadership styles as performative or inauthentic.
This is very true when navigating social issues like sustainability. Prioritizing sustainability in the workplace is a great method to help the environment, but it should be practiced authentically.
In this text, I’ll detail five strategies to interact teams in sustainability efforts through true leadership in driving sustainable change.
Anyone can claim to be committed to positive environmental change, but it takes a deliberate and coordinated effort to live as much as the mission. These five strategies will assist you to encourage and motivate your team to commit to your organization’s sustainability goals.
1. Encourage participation in goal setting
Your employees wish to be heard—they wish to share their unique perspectives on your organization, and more importantly, they wish to know that you just value that feedback enough to make positive changes. When setting goals, make sure that every team member has the opportunity to share their thoughts, and make sure to listen. When employees are actively engaged in goal setting, they are more likely to take a position in the mission. They will support your organization’s goals knowing that they played an lively role in inspiring change.
2. Communicate your vision
Follow up after your team has had a probability to participate in goal setting. Employees wish to know that you just’ve listened to what they have to say and that their words will likely be put to good use. Without proper communication, you risk losing momentum. To proceed the conversation, communicate each phase of your sustainability plan with your team. Build on your team’s insights to refine the goals and the way you’ll communicate them to the remainder of the organization. To keep everyone on track, offer timelines and talking points in email updates, newsletters, or social media.
3. Educate and encourage
Once you understand your organization’s sustainability goals and find out how to achieve them, encourage your team to learn more.
Create clear, informative materials that employees can use in their day by day activities. It could be so simple as creating a small infographic that features your sustainability goals, hosting a monthly lunch and learn, or updating your organization’s dashboard background to reflect your sustainability mission. These small steps will make your goals clear and reinforce a strong culture around sustainability.
4. Offer rewards for participating
One of the best ways to extend participation is through incentive programs. Consider creating a recognition program that rewards employees for performing specific sustainable activities. This could include awards, bonuses, or other incentives for demonstrating how they are living the principles of sustainability at work and beyond.
Not only will this encourage commitment, but it is going to also help be certain that employees are held accountable for their contributions to the overall team goals. And besides… who doesn’t like competition?
5. Set a good example
I know I discussed this above, but it will probably’t be overstated: If you really need your team to take an lively role in your organization’s commitment to sustainability, it is advisable be truly committed. Prioritize your time to back up your words with positive actions. This means actively participating in discussions, organizing and celebrating company initiatives, adopting sustainable practices—and sticking to them. Being transparent and making your sustainability goals an extension of who you are as a leader will go a good distance in inspiring your team.
The Role of Leadership in Driving Sustainable Change
There are several advantages to engaging in sustainable change inside your organization. In addition to protecting the environment, you furthermore mght create opportunities to show that you just are a thought leader who is genuinely committed to creating the world a higher place.
By doing so, you show that you just are a trusted partner, invested in their mutual interests. This can generate positive sentiment around you and your organization, resulting in high-quality brand exposure, increased revenue, and higher relationships with your small business partners and consumers.
Key conclusions
As entrepreneurs, we are uniquely positioned to steer change in our organizations. We set the tone for our teams and can leverage our platforms and influence to talk out on vital issues. When we put sustainability first, we encourage teams to rally around our efforts.
Team members are an extension of your organization’s mission, vision, and values. When you show that you just are a thoughtful leader who cares about sustainable change, your team will see your authenticity through your actions and feel more engaged in your mission at every level of the organization.
So put your best foot forward, hearken to your team, and start paving the way for positive change!