The distinction between the two is really important for business sustainability. The combination drives prosperity.
The world needs a generation of sustainability leadership in the C-suite around the planet. There are good examples out there to serve as role models. At GreenBusiness WORKS EXPO 2009, we heard from a small business executive, Keith Kantor, CEO of Services Foods, who experienced prosperity when most companies were merely trying to survive. He did this by committing to sustainable business practices. He inspired his team, navigated the change and the business expenses shrunk. And, not so amazing, profitability increased. Not rocket science, right?
We all love the word change; we even say we embrace it. After all, to admit we prefer to stay stuck in old and outdated ways does not sound like enlightened business practices. Maybe the reality is we love change, the noun, but not the verb!
Solving sustainability problems won’t bankrupt a company and does not even depend on a technology breakthrough. EXPO 2009 revealed numerous low cost, no cost changes organizations can adopt that don’t break the corporate bank and we already have technology required to shift to a sustainability platform. So what’s stopping us?
Sustainability depends on inspirational business leadership that can change what tasks their managers manage. Let’s concentrate on fostering leadership, then get out their way and allow them to lead.
Managers manage. Leaders inspire. Which one are you?
