It has been a good week at Mangrove but they are not all like this and we see plenty of daily stress and strain in many of our clients. So this week we have been reflecting on the realities of working in sustainability…
Those in sustainability are constantly pushing against the “natural flow” of the business. It can be hard going – simultaneously over worked, under resourced, challenging the status quo, convincing the cynics, “proving” “value” on things which have not been done before, whilst trying to land a sense of urgency without sounding too preachy …and all the while worrying about whether progress is enough, fast enough or will be cut when performance pressures loom. All of this can be compounded by a sense of isolation often having to stand as the solitary advocate for change in a world which prefers the cosy ease of status quo/BAU.
Having said all that, we also see the huge upsides – the work is often exciting, rewarding and pioneering (doing things that have not been done before), tackling the biggest challenges and opportunities facing pretty much every business and beyond that, the planet itself. You are indispensable in shaping a more sustainable and equitable future for all of us and securing the future of your businesses. As Steve Jobs said “it’s better to be a pirate than join the navy”? Who needs an easy life?!
So what?
So whilst this week we acknowledge, celebrate and raise a metaphorical glass to all the practitioners (& pirates) making the hard yards and leaders making the tough decisions, to taking the path less trodden, this week we are going one step further…
…we have decided to set up the Good Growth Circle, a community centred on supporting, connecting and celebrating those taking on the highs and lows of “good growth” challenges and helping their business go good. It will be a bit of an experiment and we might be making life difficult for ourselves but in the spirit of the above…who wants an easy life?! Come join us here – pirates welcome…
