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Sustainable (And Sustained) Leadership Is Here To Stay

Opinion Articles

Samir Valimamade

Bliss Applications

Leaders’ characteristics have been adapting over time, seeking to ensure a context of sustainability in their strategic thinking and actions. This is becoming more evident in the post-COVID era, where people are starting to have a different perspective on what impacts their daily lives. In this context, organizational leaders have been pressured to respond to three central pillars: environmental, social, and governance.

What are the strategies for effective, sustainable leadership?

A sustainable leadership approach must consider the ecosystem in which it is inserted. Solutions are defined according to their context, that is, what the impact of your leadership is on the community. Stop, listen, and understand. In an increasingly fast-paced world, stopping to understand what is happening around organizations, their concerns, and their impacts will help leaders adopt measures tailored to all stakeholders. Create a sustainable organizational identity. Consider measures that can be applied in culture, strategy, operations, or people management. An organization’s identity is also built with these pillars in mind. Together, they define how an organization is recognized. Communicate. Like any good leadership, it must be transparent and open. Communication is a key element in sustainable leadership as it ensures excellent proximity to the elements of the organization while at the same time giving space for them to contribute actively to initiatives. 

Promotes: 

  • Diversity includes people from different origins, cultures, or genders in the organization. 
  • Equity ensures that everyone has the same opportunities and resources. 
  • Inclusion allows people to feel respected and safe in expressing their opinions—environmental responsibility, adopting measures that seek efficient use of natural resources.

How do we prepare (future) leaders?

Create government policies that help promote sustainable measures in organizations. Leaders must want to be sustainable, but government institutions must also be responsible for implementing these measures. Coaching. Leaders inspire leaders, so mentoring by more experienced leaders in the area can help other leaders think outside the box about sustainable initiatives for their organization. Implement incentive and reward systems that value leaders who stand out for sustainable performance.

I believe sustainable (and sustained) leadership is here to stay, especially for younger generations (millennials or generation Z), who place great importance on all these characteristics in an organization, especially those who lead them.

Originally published in Revista Líder #27.

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