SUSTAINABILITY; LEADERSHIP, AND STRATEGY.
Sustainability is“that sustainable development in development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs” (World Commission on Environment and Leadership, 1987). Thus sustainability efforts are mainly the contributions made towards the planet’s development; and address organizational profitability and growth, promotes environmental awareness, social justice, inclusivity and equality. Sustainability developments directed towards three different areas; the green field, sociological are and the internal input in an organization all which focus on the operational units of the organizations, its principles and the external environment of the corporate. Therefore through sustainable leadership inputs, outputs, and targeted outcomes gradually implement a successful sustainability strategy.
Leadership is “the process whereby an individual influences others to achieve a common goal” (Kreitner, 2008). Contrary, strategic direction is defined as “a person’s ability to anticipate, envision, maintain flexibility, think strategically, and work with others to initiate changes that will create a viable future for the organization” (Barnett, 1994). From these two definitions, it is undeniable to recognize that both leaders have goals but have different purpose-driven strategies, thus having contrasting outcomes. The key elements brought that differentiate these two types of leaders reflect that a strategic leader can anticipate events, think strategically, initiate, create, test and implement already designed strategies for future development.
Analyses and evaluations on the external and internal environments of an organization are used by strategic leaders to come up with the best-suited strategies that align the organization with its vision. In strategic thinking, strategic leaders can make well-calculated decisions that enable the organizations to make use of the limited resources in today’s dynamic world affected by the planet’s changes. In addition to this, elements of strategic intent and ethical decision making are incorporated while making these vital decisions. Strategic plan and ethical-decision making are also used by strategic leaders and includes focusing the organization’s intention on the essence motivating people by communicating the value of the target; leaving room for individual and team contributions; sustaining enthusiasm by providing new operational definitions as circumstances change, and using intent ethically and consistently to guide resource allocations.
Flexibility is the ability of strategic leaders to anticipate events and deal with challenges that they come across every day both in the internal and external environment of their organizations. Strategic leaders up with development changes because of the day to day demands that emanate from the external and the internal environment of the organization. Therefore, as a strategic leader that is focused on sustainability the necessity of implementing changes which are dramatic and customized implementing them calls for the integration of vision, flexibility, and the support of the managers of the organization who have received and accepted such flexibility and who are willing and ready to work closely with their strategic leaders to timely, effectively and efficiently implement such changes. More so, it is also important to apply strategies that are ‘bendable’ which means they are flexible and can be utilized in an ever-changing world to meet sustainability demands.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION.
In conclusion, there is a significance in incorporating strategies and leadership and vice versa in organizations when focusing on sustainability goals. Because through this, leaders organizations can meet the organization’s mission, goals, and objectives effectively, efficiently, and on a timely basis.
“As the competitive landscape shifts and the global challenges evolve companies that were lauded in the past end up being tomorrow’s sustainability heroes and vice versa.” it shows that when it comes to sustainability, the drastic changes that emanate during different times call for the need of flexibility in strategic leaders and the strategies implemented. Because if the availed direction for the company by its leader does not work for the organization’s future then there is little or no vision for the goals being focused on this contradicts the intent of sustainability in the organization.
Therefore, it is essential and necessary to adopt sustainable leadership and strategies to maintain organizational growth. With this said, sustainable leadership is not viewed as supporting current administration over time but believed to be the continuous sharing, strategic thinking and ethical decision making while focusing on sustainability-driven goals
References.
Barnett, W. P. (1994). An evolutionary model of organizational performance. Strategic Management Journal, 11-28.
Kreitner, R. &. (2008). Organizational Behavior 8th edition. Boston: McGraw-Hill Irwin.
(1987). World Commission on Environment and Leadership. Our common future (p. 43). Oxford: Oxford University Press.