Leading for sustainability when times are tough

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Being a sustainability leader

Penny WalkerPostgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Value Chains

7-10 November 2016

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"I do not pretend to understand the moral universe; the arc is a long one,

my eye reaches but little ways; I cannot calculate the curve and

complete the figure by the experience of sight; I can divine it by conscience.

And from what I see I am sure it bends towards justice."

Theodore Parker.

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Leading from wherever you find yourself.

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PENNY-WALKER.CO.UK

Leaders provide:

• Compelling vision of the better future.• Successful action and progress.• A sense of unity, common purpose.• Attention to individuals.

Scouller

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Personal qualitiesAction logic • Impulsive• Opportunist• Diplomat• Expert• Achiever• Individualist• Strategist• Alchemist (magician)• Ironist

Rooke and Torbert, Wilber

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What we need from leaders now• Change the context, change the system

You are not the boss of me.• Radical innovation

We’ve never done this before.• Resilience

I may not get there with you.• Authenticity

Be the change. • Values

Lash yourself to the mast.• Step up

Don’t turn away.

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Change the context, change the system

Leading when you’re not the boss

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Leading when you are not the bossCollaboration, partnership, systems, communities

• Enables the system, the group, the collaborators to do their thing.

• Skills in process, mediation, backbone.

• Trusted by all – no agenda.

• Has convening power, rallies the collaborators.

• Knowledgeable, connected, charismatic.

• Has an agenda for ambition.

Ansell and Gash, 2007

Honest Broker Organic leader

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Step up

Don’t turn away

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PENNY-WALKER.CO.UK

Knowing is necessary• Environmental limits, ecosystem services, feedback

loops.• Inequality, hunger, diversity, repression.• Markets, supply chains, legal and political context,

consumers and customers.• What’s already happening in the system.• How my organisation works, culture, rules, reality.• My own strengths, weaknesses, preferences,

passions.

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Knowing isn’t enough

It’s not my responsibility, I don’t know how, I can’t do it alone, people and

circumstances are getting in the way.

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Resilience

I may not get there with you.

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"It is not your responsibility to finish the work of perfecting the

world, but you are not free to desist from it either."

Rabbi Tarfon

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Take responsibilityIt’s not my responsibility, yet still I will take responsibility. I don’t know how, and I will find out. I can’t do it alone, so I’ll collaborate with others.People and circumstances are getting in the way, and I won’t let that stop me.

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"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and

precious life?"

Mary Oliver

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Yourself

What needs to happen?

What needs to change?

What leadership is missing?

What qualities and skills can I bring or

develop?

What opportunities can I

make or take?

Where I step up to lead

The system

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