Opportunities to improve sustainability knock everyday, do you answer?

Embedding sustainability is a process of continuous improvement.  Incremental actions and ongoing progress.  You can’t do everything all at once.  

Embedding sustainability is about the small steps you take consistently, every day.  Improving and evolving your practice as your knowledge, understanding and confidence develop. Engaging others and expanding your circle of influence.

So, how do you identify opportunities to improve sustainability outcomes in your program and practice?

I like to think of embedding sustainability as an emergent curriculum.

Small steps are the key.  How can you take your current practice to the next level?

Over the next few days take some time and look around.  Look at what’s happening around you through a sustainability lens. 

🔍Reflection: What do you see?  What do you hear? What is done consistently?  What is done with enthusiasm?  What is done begrudgingly?

Take these observatio...

In this post we'll be looking at the importance of understanding the audience you want to engage.  Many times we assume people are uncooperative or undermine our efforts because they are disinterested, difficult, spiteful or lazy.  This is rarely the case, but we need to be willing to listen and take some time to understand their objections and concerns more fully.  

The reason for their lack of engagement is rarely what it seems on the surface.  It can take a bit of time an effort to uncover the underlying issues.  Listening is an important skill for anyone in a leadership role, that includes those leading sustainability.

Change is hard.  We must remember that is exactly what we are asking of those around us as we endeavour to embed sustainability.  It is especially hard for adults and those who have been doing things the same way for a while and it worked fine.  'If it ain't broke don't fix it' as they say...  Most children are a bit more flexible and willing to try new things.