Thursday, August 13, 2009
Sustainability Initiative Top 10
My colleague Blythe Butler and I were just discussing our work on sustainability and were trying to come up with a summary of key things to think about when getting into a sustainability initiative. We decided on a Letterman-esque compilation (minus the backup band and dramatic drumroll, of course). So, without further delay, here is:
The Top 10 List of Things You Should Know When You’re Getting Into A Sustainability Initiative
- Sustainability is not just about the environment. Don’t forget about the economic, cultural, built, social and governance elements of your community or organization.
- Sustainability is a collective issue that requires collective action. Have a dynamic, exciting and effective engagement process.
- Be clear about your objectives. Design a well-defined but flexible process.
- Be prepared to listen, learn and adapt. Facilitate the process to maximize the collective wisdom of your participants.
- Know where you’re coming from and where you are. Do a situational analysis.
- Follow the momentum. Engage champions early to build commitment.
- Your process, decisions and documents should be transparent. Design a credible and accessible governance structure.
- Encourage personal responsibility. Give participants the tools to own the process.
- Communicate the context. Use language and stories that participants can relate to.
- Focus on getting it right versus being right. See all of the above.
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