Business in the 21st Century-Building a Sustainable World
Women's Summit - March 2001
"Odyssey 2001: Journey to Success"
Presentation 1: Gaytha A. Langlois, Ph.D., Professor of Environmental Studies
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Elements of Environmental Leadership
Leadership is not something that is done to people...rather,it is what unlocks people's potential..."
Bill Bradley, former New Jersey Senator and recent Presidential Candidate
Characteristics of Environmental Leaders in the Corporate Arena
Must achieve regulatory compliance in all initiatives
Must recognize business opportunities while taking on prudent business risks
Must work skillfully with a wide range of external stakeholders
Extraordinarily diverse knowledge, effective diplomacy and political know-how
Dispute-resolution abilities, strong business skills and a humanistic decision making style
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Constant and Persistent Action-Taking
Must initiate and guide company-wide change with limited staff and resources
Must achieve compliance cost-effectively, without discouraging innovation
Must be constantly attunded to internal and external stakeholders
Ability to find what works
Skillful at networking and affiliation building
Tolerance for productive ambiguity - relativistic view
Creating sustained growth by cultivating risk and uncertainty
Replicate success, using many small steps
Acknowledge the importance of everyone's role - inclusive approach
 
 
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 Environmental
Leadership
Business
Initiatives
Public/Private
Partnerships
What is Sustainability?
 Center for Sustainable Business Practices
Summit 2001 
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Gaytha A. Langlois, Ph.D.
Bryant University, Smithfield, RI 02917
Created: March 2001 - Last Updated: November 2008

Contact: langlois@bryant.edu