Hello friends, I hope you’re all happy and well, and making the best out of this weekend 😊
I spent my morning attending an Economics class, in the context of the Management studies I’m currently engaged in, in order to be able to better develop Meditaction. 📚
As it is often the case during these Economics classes, many of my beliefs were challenged in these last few hours. Which, I think of course, is something very positive, because there is no possible growth without self-questioning and exposure to different perceptions of reality.
Now, one thing that came as a surprise, is that in a country such as Switzerland, which ranks as the 5th Most Environmentally Friendly country in the world (2023), very little emphasis is given to Ecology in one of its most widely accepted Leadership & Management national studies program. In an 8-month school program, less than 30 minutes were granted to Ecology and in the 348 pages book we have as General Management reference, only 6 pages were used to cover this topic.
Why am I deciding to write about this today ?
Well, Meditaction is a project that aims to inspire positive action in the world, and respecting and taking care of our planet and its finite ressources is definitely part of the positive actions we can engage in as a collective. So I thought it could be interesting to offer you our perspective on the correlation between Ecology and Effective Leadership, since the leaders of today are the ones shaping the future of tomorrow.
We believe that great leaders are the ones who can be ecocentric rather than egocentric, those who aim to satisfy the interests of the whole above their self-interest. 🌎
They are the people who understand that along financial and social priorities, it is essential to put great emphasis on Ecology, because Ecology is not something separate from us. We are, fundamentally, just one element of Ecology.
In the end, “It shouldn't be the consumer's responsibility to figure out what's cruel and what's kind, what's environmentally destructive and what's sustainable » as stated by Jonathan Safran Foer, author of "Eating Animals" . We believe it is up to the ones who lead and direct the different segments of our societies to embrace that responsibility.
So if this is something that speaks to your heart, and we believe it should, you might find some use in these
5 Ideas to Help You Become a More Ecocentric Leader :
1. Developing an Ecocentric, Systemic, and Long-Term Mindset
A perspective that centers on the Earth's interconnectedness emphasizes that humans are an integral part of the global ecosystem, not distinct from it. If you’re a top leader who want your business or institution to thrive, you might want to motivate and inspire your colleagues and collaborators to assimilate this awareness into their worldview, with the aim of reducing humanity's detrimental impact on the environment.
2. Being Influential Rather Than Exercising Authority
At the heart of ecocentric leadership lies the ability to inspire others, rather than relying solely on having official power. As an holistic leader, you are able to inspire a broad and diverse group of people, even when you don't have formal authority over them. To spread the importance of developing an ecocentric mindset, you can decide to engage more with social networks, to form strong connections with your teams, showing them with your actions why ecology matters, always prefering to lead by example rather than imposing any worldview on the subject.
3. Learning To Deal With Complexity
A fundamental skill for leaders involves discerning among different leadership paradigms and choosing the most apt style for addressing specific issues, depending on the complexity involved. As a sustainable leader, you can therefore strive to be at ease dealing with intricate scenarios that encompass various factors such as stakeholder interests, political dynamics, conflicting priorities, and ecological systems. Always keeping in mind that we live in an interconnected, interdependent world, and that we as human beings, are an inherent part of the complex ecosystems of our planet.
4. Fostering a Collaborative Leadership Network Across Boundaries
Ecocentric leaders build a diverse leadership network that goes beyond the usual limits, working together with leaders in different positions and regions. This network can include project managers, influential thinkers, experts in specific fields, and trusted advisors. These different actors can come together by coordinating practical plans, strengthening relationships, and turning important ideas into projects that connect with different groups of people who care about the environment. In doing so, genuine sustainable leaders unite around a common goal to make a positive difference.
5. Recognizing the Importance of Self-Leadership
Elevating self-leadership through heightened self-awareness of sustainable values and purpose forms a pivotal facet of ecocentric leadership evolution. Sustainable leaders who grasp the importance of leading themselves first exhibit a clear understanding of these values and purpose, and they are fervently committed to motivating others to respect our planet’s limits and to act in more ecological ways.
At Meditaction, we are conscious that such concepts as ecology and sustainability have undeniably lost credibility in recent years due to the pervasive practice of greenwashing.
Greenwashing occurs when organizations or businesses, often in an attempt to appear environmentally responsible, engage in deceptive marketing tactics that exaggerate their commitment to ecological and sustainable practices. This misleading behavior has led to a growing skepticism among consumers and the public at large.
As a result, genuine efforts to promote ecology and sustainability have been diminished, and people have become more cautious about distinguishing authentic sustainability initiatives from mere marketing ploys. This loss of credibility not only undermines the vital work required to address environmental challenges but also erodes the trust that is crucial for meaningful progress in creating a more sustainable world.
To restore credibility to these critical concepts, there is a pressing need for increased transparency, accountability, and genuine commitment to ecological and sustainable principles in all sectors of society.
So…
How often do you remember, that as a leader of any sector in our society, you hold both that power and responsibility ?
Love,
💛
Tati
Wonderful content!!!