David Grayson
on being All In for Sustainability
“We are living in the era of radical transparency. You have to be All In for Sustainability. You cannot be hesitant or half-hearted about it.”
This is how Professor David Grayson started answering the interview questions for Community Index Magazine, in 2020. “Transparency” and the “All In” attitude are the credos we preached and practised in our magazine content and our lives.
David is a remarkable author, speaker, adviser, podcaster, chairman, board member and business school professor. But, most importantly, he’s an inspiring human being.
For his 50th birthday, he visited Machu Picchu to remind himself that there is nothing inevitable about a civilization’s culture continuing indefinitely. He also finds something hauntingly beautiful about Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika, South Africa’s national anthem.
Some of his memorable speaking experiences over the years have included being interrupted mid-speech in Mexico City for an emergency earthquake drill, being prevented from speaking (at all!) in Fiji because of a military coup or speaking about Purpose to business leaders from Myanmar in a bomb-proof room.
He believes “hindsight” is a wonderful gift and we should all reflect on what we would do differently if we had the time again. The causes he fights for are rights for people with disabilities, democracy, youth enterprise and skills development, better help for entrepreneurs, responsible business, and creating a society that respects, values and supports caregivers.
If you want to discover a transparent leader, read David’s answers for the third edition of #inspirators. And remember: “If we want to inspire action, we have to remain positive and stay in the arena. There are no prizes for spectators!”
Thank you, David, for being an “All In for Sustainability” Leader!
#INSPIRATORS QUESTIONNAIRE
Name: David Grayson
Company / Institution: Cranfield School of Management; Leonard Cheshire; Institute of Business Ethics; The Forward Institute
Title: Emeritus Professor of Corporate Responsibility
Website: www.DavidGrayson.net
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/david-grayson-039a67
Country of origin: UK
Country you currently live in: UK
Your personal definition of Sustainability: I stick to the classic Brundtland Commission definition from 1987: meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs too.
I also like the idea of seeing sustainability as the application of the Golden Rule (so-called because it is the golden thread running through different religions and philosophical traditions): namely, “to do to others as you want them to do to you” - but in an intergenerational context.
Main business challenge you face: I still believe we have a challenge to get more people to see sustainability as being about opportunities and not just risks.
Main driver that keeps you going: Giving up is not an option!
The trait you are most proud of in yourself: Perseverance.
The trait you most value in others: Honesty.
Passions & little things that bring you joy:
Passions: fighting for a world of social justice and a Just Transition - a world where individuals can thrive irrespective of the colour of their skin, or their gender, disability, religion, age etc.
Little things that bring joy: a new border collie puppy who is also going to be a healing dog, working with victims of modern day slavery, human trafficking and war zones.
The #inspirators who determined you to take the sustainability path: Various business leaders who were pioneers for the idea of business as a force for good in society in the 1980s. Also, our new King Charles III who, as the Prince of Wales, has been a long-term advocate for public-private-community partnerships and sustainability.
A hint or starting point for companies or professionals that are taking the first steps in the sustainability journey: Work out where you can have the most material, significant impact over time and focus there.
Most used and abused clichés in sustainability that bother you: I am not really bothered by clichés. I am much more concerned about the limited ambitions of too many organizations!
An honest piece of advice for young people who lose hope: Martin Luther King didn’t say “I have a nightmare!” (although he probably had plenty of those privately!). Instead, he declared: “I have a dream!”
In other words, if we want to inspire action, we have to remain positive and stay in the arena. There are no prizes for spectators!
Books that had a major impact on you: Small is Beautiful by E.F. Schumacher.
Must-reads for any Sustainability professional: Well, of course, I am biased but I’d recommend:
The Sustainable Business Handbook by David Grayson, Chris Coulter and Mark Lee
All In: The Future of Business Leadership by David Grayson, Chris Coulter and Mark Lee
Movies / Documentaries you would watch all over again: Sir David Attenborough’s!
Blogs / Websites / Podcasts etc. you visit frequently: Well again, I’ll be cheeky and give a shout-out for our “All In: Sustainable Business Podcast!”
Music that makes you (and your heart) sing: I am a European, so Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. There is also something hauntingly beautiful about Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika, South Africa’s national anthem.
Places you travelled to that left a mark on you: I was privileged to visit Machu Picchu for my 50th birthday. Being there early morning, watching the sun come up and the clouds lift, before the crowds came, felt very special. Machu Picchu is a powerful reminder that there is nothing inevitable about a civilization’s culture continuing indefinitely.
On another trip to South America, I was fortunate enough to spend a week sailing around the Galapagos in a small catamaran with just five other guests. Even a quarter of a century ago, the signs of threats to the unique eco-system of the Galapagos were becoming all too worryingly visible.
Global Sustainability Voices you recommend us to follow: I am interested in the young entrepreneurs around the world who are aiming to find profitable solutions to the problems of people and planet.
Trends in Sustainability we should keep an eye on:
The importance of having a holistic approach to EDI: Equity, Diversity, Inclusion.
Similarly, understanding the trade-offs and inter-relationships between E.S. and G!
Best places for business networking (online or offline): One of the few positives from the lockdowns and dislocations of the last 2-3 years has been the switch to many more on-line and hybrid events, opening them up to global audiences. This is going to require new networking skills and techniques.
Events we should attend: I am a great believer in trying new events rather than going back to the same ones year after year. I have recently returned from an exciting 3 day event: ANTHROPY at the amazing Eden Project in Cornwall, in the South West of England.
Associations, business clubs, tribes you belong to – and why: I guess I rely on Twitter, LinkedIn and the eclectic networks I have built up over 40+ years.
Sustainable Development courses / trainings / certifications that really teach us how to have an impact: I am a big fan of networks like the League of Intrapreneurs, Common Purpose and, here in the UK, The Forward Institute
Reasons to feel optimistic about our future in 2030: Young people!
Reasons to feel pessimistic about our future in 2030: Many governments and populist politicians peddling false promises.
Regenerative Leadership qualities much needed today:
Systems-thinking
Long-term perspective
Stakeholder approach
Abundance mindset
Hunger to learn and to stay curious.
Quote that inspires you:
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”
(Mahatma Gandhi)
Your own quote that will inspire us:
