Business leaders have been burying their heads in the sand when it comes to issues such as climate change. While there are a few, often cited, stand-out examples, such as Paul Polman at Unilver and Ian Cheshire of Kingfisher, there is a worrying lack of new leaders snapping at their heels.
In November, we launched the leadership hub to seek out the unfamiliar faces and explore the qualities and skill-sets required for good leadership. Jo Confino kicked off our coverage with a manifesto for business leaders to create a sustainable society. He found that a willingness to be both vulnerable and authentic were the top qualities for great leaders.
Lack of board support and stasis in middle management were cited as reasons that leaders feel powerless to drive sustainability in their businesses.
Marc Gunther suggested that Starbucks’ chief executive Howard Schultz deserved recognition for his leadership, having built a company that provides ownership and healthcare coverage to workers, invests in the environmental practices and wellbeing of coffee growers, supports marriage equality and honours America’s veterans.
Ian Cheshire argued that the EU target for energy efficiency improvements should be binding and at least 40%, not the “unhelpful” 27% set by politicians.
Here we look at the five most popular pieces that have featured on the leadership hub since its launch.
1. 29 qualities for business leaders to create a sustainable society
A manifesto for executives to embrace new ways of leading their corporations at a time of unprecedented challenges.
2. 10 top tweeters on sustainable leadership: from Al Gore to Sheryl Sandberg
Some of the most compelling Twitter users talking about true sustainability leadership.
Despite criticism of the coffee giant over tax and fair trade coffee, Schultz has used his platform to call for social and political change in the US, including working to honour veterans.
4. 6 reasons CEOs feel powerless to drive sustainability into their companies
More chief executives are searching for purpose but feel stuck and disillusioned by a lack of support and a lack of investor interest
5. 27% target for energy efficiency isn’t just unambitious; it’s unhelpful
Ian Cheshire argues that if political leaders want to help lower bills and emissions, they should help businesses create demand for energy efficiency, not set weak targets.
Get involved!
Let us know your favourite leadership story from 2014. Tweet us @GuardianSustBiz with #GSB2014. To get in touch with ideas for coverage in 2015, email tess.riley@guardian.co.uk
The leadership hub is funded by Xyntéo. All content is editorially independent except for pieces labelled ‘brought to you by’. Find out more here.
Join the community of sustainability professionals and experts. Become a GSB member to get more stories like this direct to your inbox.
