Micromobility continues to evolve as new types of equipment come onto the market every year. It refers to short-haul transport—less than 6 miles. Since 2010, micromobility companies worldwide have focused on sustainable leadership to get people where they have to go. Micromobility includes station-based bike-sharing systems, dockless bike-sharing systems, electrically assisted bike-sharing systems, and electric scooters.
But while micromobility is only one aspect of sustainable leadership, it’s fundamentally shifting urban design. For instance, while most cities agree that e-scooters, electric bikes, etc. are workable solutions to reduce congestion—concerns exist. The main problem, especially for e-scooters, is safety. As a result, most of the major companies are working with cities to address these concerns.
For example, they are creating in cities electronic geo-zones to discourage drivers from driving in unsafe areas. And they’re also developing sustainable parking lots for transportation. In short, whole cities are getting reimagined and redesigned for the 21st Century. But while this is one industry, every entrepreneur and company leader should focus on becoming an environmental leader.
Why Develop Leadership on Sustainability
As I mentioned, the micromobility industry is but one sector. However, they found transportation opportunities because those business visionaries understood that the world needs to address climate change quickly. Still, sustainable leadership isn’t only for one industry or sector. It’s for everyone. Every day I’m having conversations with people, and increasingly, one of the topics business leaders want to discuss is how to become an environmental leader.
In short, business leaders understand that they gain a competitive advantage by focusing their companies on sustainable leadership. Moreover, it allows them to increase profitability because the public wants to patronize companies that care about the environment. Also, creating sustainability goals with work teams helps with retention. Younger generations of workers want to remain as part of teams that care about people, the planet, as well as profit.
Tips to Right by Your Community and the Planet
During the summer of 2021, the U.N. released an alarming report stating the world was on the verge of experiencing “extreme” and “unprecedented” disruption due to climate change. Further, Americans and people around the globe experienced terrible and extreme weather conditions that killed people. Those included wildfires burning on the west coast and having the clouds hover clear across the country. And they also included droughts and floods. Let’s face it, this is no way to live, and we can’t live when we have an existential threat hanging over our collective heads. So, how can you do your part for sustainable leadership? The following are some tips and suggestions.
1. Inform Yourself and Share It With Your Team
First and foremost, you may not realize the gravity of the enormous threat that exists unless you educate and inform yourself. Every day, plenty of reports get published speaking about the effects of climate change. Make it a point to read it and share it with the decision-makers and your team. In short, everyone needs to become aware that things can’t remain the same, and leadership means everyone has to become an environmentalist.
2. Reimagine Your Business Model and Leadership
To become a sustainability and environmental leader, you will have to change everything you do in your company. For instance, you’ll have to change your business model. There’s not a single part of your operation that doesn’t get affected when you decide to become an environmental leader. Do your research to understand how your business model could participate in the circular economy. Again, the more information and the more you know, the better you’ll do.
3. Consider Becoming a B-Corporation
Depending on how far you want to go in the process, you could consider becoming a Certified B-Corporation. It’s not easy to do it, but it’s a significant credential to have for brand positioning and sustainable leadership. The accrediting body certifies companies after measuring their environmental and social impact. In other words, they assess a company’s entire operation to understand how they impact their community, workers, customers, and, yes, the environment.
4. Get Involved in a Corporate Social Responsibility Program (CSR)
As I mentioned earlier in this article, I speak to business leaders every day. Increasingly, they want to know how to become CSR leaders. Some want to do it as they transition their business models and operations. Yes, I’m going to do a little self-promotion. But, our brands have been at the forefront for years of sustainable leadership. For instance, the Sneakers4Good program partners with run retailers, marathons, and road races for a positive social and environmental impact.
5. Share Your Environmental Leadership with Your Community
Finally, when you shift toward becoming an environmental leader, whatever your industry, you have to let the public and your community know. As a point of competitive advantage, it’s vital to share your storytelling effectively and often through marketing. The companies and leaders who have tremendous success making the shift stake a position and lean into it. In other words, they make it known to everyone that they want to become the leader in their community for their product or service and share their commitment to environmental leadership.
© 2021 Wayne Elsey. All Rights Reserved.