For What It’s Worth

While doing some research for a new program…suddenly, as if hurled on to “Lost” island, I was tossed back to the late 60s hearing Buffalo Springfield playing in my mind…over and over…”there is something happening here, and what it is ain’t exactly clear.”

There have been some very significant efforts and publicized results recently, but I was looking for serious signs that the “green revolution” was no longer just a PR/ marketing gimmick.

What did I find?  A shock.  I was way behind the curve in my thinking.  Although many of the battles are far from over, the “green war” effort is gaining ground and attracting what not too long ago would have been unthinkable soldiers-in-arms.  Good for us.

I found some of my more heartwarming information on the Fast Company 50 Most Innovating Companies Feb 2009 issue.  I used to read this magazine voraciously and recommend it widely.  (I need to listen to my own advice more.)

Here are some tidbits from a few of the larger players:

Walmart: (my biggest surprise and pleasure).  

Although known as the “bad boy box store” for many reasons, it appears they are making serious headway in the sustainability arena.

“Environ-geeks” have told them for years and in a variety of ways that there was “gold (profit) in them thar hills.”  They are listening and reaping the rewards now.

Whether it was potential litigation or love, when Lee Scott (former CEO) handed the reins of stewardship to Mike Duke this past February he was very pleased with his green efforts/results. 

“A drive to reduce packaging led to a new gallon milk container that eliminates use of crates and greatly reduces transport costs, and inspired HP to produce a laptop sold in a messenger bag, eliminating unnecessary packaging.

Stores in Fort Smith, Arkansas, seeking to be a model for the company, reduced material sent to landfills by 70% by recycling everything from motor-oil containers to black plastic plant pots.

A prototype supercenter in Las Vegas uses 45% less energy than a typical one, thanks to white-reflective roofs, an efficient closed-loop cooling system, and extensive use of LEDs in refrigerated display cases -- lighting that is likely to last as long as the cases themselves.”

Walmart also is becoming a green leader by creating an internal sustainability index for their suppliers to use and is a co-founder of a new Sustainability Consortium; this is certainly an idea whose time is long overdue.

Apple: (full disclosure, I am an Apple freak).

Fast Company is quick to point out that a company such as Apple (with its products, etc.) is not going to save the planet any time soon, but they have done us a service by leading the way in a few areas:

“Apple at least took a shot at purifying -- and image buffing -- with recyclable laptop casings, arsenic- and lead-free screens, and reduced packaging.

Nike: (full disclosure, they have been a client).

By 2011, every pair of sneakers will meet their Considered standards (reduced waste and toxins, designed for disassembly).

CEO Mark Parker told Fast Company, “people ask us, why would you push so hard with sustainability when the economy is so bad?  To us, this is a long-term commitment that will put us in a better, more competitive, more profitable position.

“For example, to reduce waste, we've created this new modular design, with component parts that can be interchanged not only for aesthetic purposes but for functional purposes as well.  With Considered, we have the opportunity to impact the 250 million pairs of shoes we make annually, and potentially share what we've learned with the industry.”

Chevron: (full disclosure, I purchase gas from them).

Chevron’s subsidiary, Chevron Energy Solutions, which boasts 20% annual growth, is one of the largest installers of solar panels, fuel cells, and biomass projects nationwide.

Fast Company shared that their services “costs the client little or nothing up front -- a "performance contract" means CES gets paid out of its (mostly public) customers' long-term savings.  Projects in 30 states have saved those customers an average of 30% in energy use -- more than $1 billion to date.  Chevron itself is CES's biggest client.

Jim Davis, CES's CEO, is quick to say Chevron won't leave the oil business behind anytime soon, but "Chevron considers itself to be a global energy company," he says, "and it's going to take every molecule of every source of energy possible to meet demand.  Energy saved is energy found."

Clorox: (full disclosure, I use these products.)

Although not on the Fast Company 50 List for innovation, Clorox is making strides with their GreenWorks products.  With the aim of creating a practical way to green your home, each product uses plant-based and biodegradable ingredients.  Green Works® cleaners are not tested on animals and use recyclable packaging.

Okay, I can hear you “purists” out there.  I know I’ve left off hundreds of other (maybe better) examples.  However, my goal is not to harangue the big guys, but to shower a few of them with some love for what they are beginning to do.

Even though my kids call me “Recycle Man,” I’m not perfect in my “green ways” and my bet is that you are not perfect either.  However, if all we do is lambast each other for our non-renewable history or imperfections we will get nowhere fast.  (Unless we are debating on a cable news channel.)

Am I just imagining it or are we in the midst of or headed to a real, serious Green Awakening?  Will these larger companies continue to model the way for their sisters and brothers?  What is happening here is not exactly clear.  However, I thought I would just share, for what it’s worth.

What are you and your organization doing to “green it up” and save the planet?  Please let me know.  I will post some of your innovations and talk them up too.

The Offsite Book Club

A reader from Boston recently wrote that Al Gore may not have invented the Internet, but last year he gave us a title for the type of leadership we need today and in the future.  Leaders need to take us far and fast.

After researching for the new program mentioned above, I couldn’t agree more.  However, let’s not reinvent the wheel with new leadership models and confuse the issue.

The Far Fast Leader is what Sam Arthur, The Offsite guru, is all about.  He invokes The Five Practices™ as the foundation.  Kouzes and Posner’s research is simple, clear and straightforward.

Gore’s Far Fast Leader is one who Models the Way.  He walks the talk.  Sam would add that credibility is the foundation of leadership.  Everyone is watching you all the time.  You can’t just speak green; you must act green.

The FFL Inspires a Shared Vision.  Leaders share possibilities, says Sam.  You need to create a green Vision Story for your organization and invite your colleagues to share the dream.

Challenging the Process is built into the DNA of the FFL.  Innovation is crucial to success.  Great green ideas are abundant in your organization.  Ask for them.  Harness the creativity.  You must create the environment to experiment, share and implement.

Sam would be the first to tell you that the FFL’s in your world include others and help them succeed.  They understand what Enabling Others to Act is all about.  They see individual action and teamwork as viral.  Each day FFL’s try to infect their colleagues.  (Green infections aren’t always bad.)

Moreover, when it comes to green leadership, there’s a lot of work still left to do.  In any worthwhile effort, you must Encourage the Heart of those around you.  Gratitude is fundamental.  Individuals, teams, your community and Mother Earth all need some daily encouragement.

Has The Offsite: A Leadership Challenge Fable sparked a leadership conversation in your world?  If so, please let me in on the chat.  If not, what are you waiting for? Begin today.  Let Sam Arthur and associates ignite a passion around going green or whatever else you need to focus on and bring more real leadership to the frontline and more profit to your bottom line.