Are you ready to lead a sustainability initiative? Here are four essential leadership traits that will help you become an effective agent of change.
Four Essential Traits of Effective Sustainability Leaders
Historically, leadership has been viewed as a trait, with the trait theory of leadership proposing that certain characteristics are associated with effective leadership.
In other words, effective leaders are developed, not born. Sustainable development expert and consultant Peter McAteer has identified four key characteristics that are valuable for anyone aiming to lead a successful sustainability initiative:
Authentic Communicator
As a sustainability leader, your message becomes more powerful when you build trusting relationships with various stakeholders. To achieve this, it’s essential to communicate honestly, openly, and frequently, with a clear sense of purpose.
Key Talent Developer
Driving significant change, especially in sustainability initiatives, cannot be done alone. Leaders must dedicate time to recruiting and developing talent to build teams that are aligned and prepared for the task. To scale a sustainability initiative across an organization, effective sustainability leaders should take on the roles of teachers and facilitators, investing time in coaching and offering feedback to foster continuous improvement.
Change Enabler
Sustainable business practices often demand changes and investments in new technologies, education, and partnerships. Sustainability leaders are responsible for removing obstacles to change and acting as catalysts for innovation, driving progress and transformation.
Innovation Investor
According to McAteer, one of the key roles of sustainability leaders is to seek opportunities for creating value. Leaders can drive innovation by cultivating a learning culture within their teams, promoting psychological safety, and ensuring that teams have the resources necessary to explore new opportunities.
Take It to Coaching
After reviewing the list above, do you recognize any strengths you already possess or areas where you’d like to grow? Coaching can assist you in clarifying these aspects and identifying actionable steps to enhance your success in leading sustainability initiatives within your organization.