Article 4: 4 ways to increase internal collaboration and advance sustainability objectives
It is becoming common place for companies to have sustainability teams. There are many articles and videos highlighting the importance of teamwork and strategies for specific departments of a company. The article had key success factors that were good advice for teamwork in general in the workplace but also suggestions for sustainable teams primarily. Here are the four factors:
Focus on internal engagement using a materiality principle
Try to understand your co-workers’ priorities in other functions and focusing on synergies. Then you can use a materiality assessment to identity the key priorities and create a program “focused on departments with the most potential influence, collaboration potential, and relevant expertise.”
Educate your colleagues about sustainability; but don’t forget to learn from them, too
Don’t treat education as a one-way street. Sustainability teams often think they must raise awareness on issues such as climate change but miss the chance to learn something in return. It is important to understand their goals if you wish to work well together.
Recognize that government that matters, a lot
You cannot fit the issues organizations are facing into one department as they often cross over. This can cause accountability to diffuse which is why it a solid governance structure must be in place. You must care that they “provide clarity over who is responsible for what.”
Understand your corporate culture
To build a company with strong values and a purpose, it is essential to understand the corporate culture to make an effective agent of change.
Source: GreenBiz
Article: 4 ways to increase internal collaboration and advance sustainability objectives
Author: Allison Taylor and Elizabeth Best