It’s no silver bullet but when you are leading responsible business change it all starts with culture – the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ of sustainable practices, not just the ‘what’ you are trying to change.
Responsible business is not just about having the right policies in place but about how you embed them. Successful transformation requires aligning sustainability goals with broader business objectives, which calls for a strategic and collective approach.
At Not Sustainable, we are often asked “How can we make a real impact given today’s business pressures?” To be effective, it’s crucial to focus less on what you personally find important and more on what motivates your business leaders. This could be anything from gaining a competitive edge to cost savings or even shaping a legacy. Using these motivators as leverage can help secure the buy-in and resources needed for impactful change.
Sustainability professionals are often driven by their passion for environmental and social causes and may feel frustrated by the lack of support in the businesses they work in. Companies, especially in the built environment and support services sector, often make big commitments to net zero and social impact but turning these into reality demands more than a small team or individual can accomplish. To make meaningful strides, sustainability professionals are expected to have an incredible range of expertise—from air pollution to human rights—alongside strong analytical skills and storytelling abilities. They need the full support of the organisation to take on these challenges.
Lastly, it’s essential to recognise that obstacles elsewhere in the business will also hinder sustainability efforts. If other areas of the organisation struggle with communication or process inefficiencies, these issues will also stall responsible business transformation. Getting senior leadership on board and rallying organisational support is critical. Sustainable transformation isn’t a solo endeavour; it’s a team effort, and we all need to pull together in the same direction.
This article featured in the January/February issue of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management magazine, Facilitate.