2010 has really run away from me, so I’ve only just read a 2009 article about Peter Drucker at 100 – from the editors of Harvard Business Review. They express a view that I observe in myself and others: we know we should do the right thing – e.g. sustainability – but there’s no passion in “shoulds”, so the challenge is to find what we are passionate about that is also doing good. It’s encouraging to read that the editors “came away [from the Drucker Institute event] convinced that key business leaders are, in fact, actually trying to make the world a better place”.
I know that I am passionate about certain aspects of sustainability – being efficient, recycling and making less stuff – so I can passionately talk with managers and ask: “wouldn’t you like to do something that would save your organisation money, give you “greenie points” and have your employees and stakeholders proud to be associated with your company?” – thinking that no sensible manager would be able resist that sort of triple bottom line offer.
Surprisingly, a lot of managers are resistant and I am getting used to the “yes, but…” response, or a rolling of the eyes, so my aim over the Christmas break is to develop a stronger argument for the business case for sustainability.
Speaking of Christmas – which to me used to be a big “waste” time of year – I am enjoying spending up big again with Oxfam Unwrapped, trusting that my spending spree will bring a smile to the faces of my friends and family, as well as helping others live through the next year (a sobering thought).
Best wishes to all for a happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year.