ABSTRACT
We have discussed managing external stakeholders; now, let’s take a deeper look at managing internal stakeholders, specifically, business function leaders and those who hold power within organizations. As the sustainability champion, chief sustainability officer (CSO), or project manager (referring to this functional role as CSO), it is important to recognize that sustainability doesn’t function well in a silo. Isolating sustainability in the Corporate Social Responsibility or Environmental Stewardship offices will limit the growth and adoption of sustainable practices within your organization, curtailing its sustainability journey. While a dedicated sustainability champion facilitates initiating and managing the process, a cross-functional team approach is significantly more impactful in terms of creating a culture of sustainability. The key to success is getting business function leaders to embrace sustainability by demonstrating how sustainability programs, projects, and processes align with their core business goals. Sustainable strategy provides new tools and techniques for business leaders to improve performance in terms of engaging with stakeholders, creating new products and solutions, minimizing risks, engaging employees, and generating operating efficiencies. Adopting a sustainable approach provides meaningful business impact in terms of resource savings, operating efficiencies, new business opportunities, employee engagement, and organizational transformation.
