Experts Urge Corporations to Adopt Sustainability as Core
Operating Principle or Risk Obsolescence

Corporations
must swiftly incorporate sustainability methods throughout their
entire organization or risk obsolescence, according to
sustainability experts at target=”_blank”>Egon Zehnder International, an executive search
firm.

Those companies that recognize sustainability as a business
imperative and implement strategic sustainability initiatives will
drive superior business performance.



 “Although many companies are now advancing aggressively on
sustainability, some continue to view the topic as a troublesome
compliance requirement or philanthropic excess,” according to
Christoph Lueneburger, leader of the global Sustainability Practice
at Egon Zehnder International.

“Those who fail to recognize that sustainability initiatives can
raise a company’s productivity, efficiency, business reputation and
shareholder value will lose ground to their competitors,” he
added.

“One of the key barriers to creating a sustainable organization
is defining sustainability,” said Lueneburger. “This means
admitting what is not being done, determining what needs to be done
and then sharing both with stakeholders,” he added. href=”http://www.egonzehnder.com/us/practices/functionalpractices/sustainability/thoughtleadership/article/id/17500285”
target=”_blank”>Click here to view an interview with Christoph
Lueneburger.

Companies that have managed to make dialogue about
sustainability vibrant at every level of the organization
discovered that having the right talent is key to their success.
“Going green is important but sustainability also includes human
capital and what types of leaders are needed to be prepared for the
challenges of tomorrow because that is ultimately what it means to
be sustainable,” Lueneburger added.

“In addition, companies that have built sustainability into
their DNA and brand find it far easier to attract and retain the
best young talent entering the work force. This is a value that
resonates deeply with the next generation of leaders.”

Based on research and a series of in-depth
interviews conducted with leading sustainability executives in the
Americas and Europe, Egon Zehnder has developed a sustainability
model which includes three district phases to implementing
sustainability initiatives and each requires a different set of
leadership competencies.

In the early phase, executives need to make the case for change,
so collaboration and influencing skills are essential, along with
the ability to lead change. Successful leaders in the intermediate
phase must be results oriented and motivated by how to turn
sustainability into a competitive advantage.

The focus is on strategic orientation in the advanced phase,
according to experts at Egon Zehnder. Leaders in this phase must
pursue long term investments and partnerships.

Global Sustainability Practice

Egon Zehnder International has uniquely robust methodology to
measure leadership competencies that complement and transcend
environmental expertise. The Global Sustainability Practice has
developed the Sustainability Pulse Check, a diagnostic tool used
with clients to assess the level of engagement across their
organizations around sustainability. href=”http://www.egonzehnder.com/us/practices/functionalpractices/sustainability”
target=”_blank”>For more information visit here.

Christoph Lueneburger, leader of the Global Sustainability
Practice at Egon Zehnder International, has published numerous
articles in publications including Environmental Finance, Corporate
Responsibility Magazine, People & Strategy and The Deal. He is
the lead author of “Sustainability: different leadership skills
needed at every state” (MIT Sloan Management Review), an article
co-authored by Daniel Goleman, author of Ecological Intelligence
and Emotional Intelligence.