“Leadership today isn’t about a title—it’s about impact.

Responsible (also called regenerative) leadership isn’t a quick fix or a one-time project. It’s a mindset shift that encourages leaders to think about their impact on multiple levels—personal, team, organisational, and global. The key is to move beyond the “take-make-waste” model that dominates much of today’s leadership and embrace one that supports circularity, renewal, and growth.

Leaders need to move away from a single view of driving financial results and towards creating and nurturing environments where people, organisations, and ecosystems thrive together. Responsible leadership is about creating a ripple effect of positive impact that stretches beyond ourselves and our organisations.

Why do we need our leaders to start thinking in this way?

Leaders CAN make a bigger difference than individuals alone through their influence on the organisation.  In a recent article  Zopeful, a climate science organisation,  suggested that “It is companies of all sizes, along with governments,  who play a crucial role in our Climate Crisis. Businesses can roll-out changes across the world  at a speed and scale we’re going to need to reduce the damage we have created”  (https://lnkd.in/djxCVKg6) 

A 2023 report by Deloitte found that 79% of business leaders feel they are not prepared for the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) challenges ahead. As climate change accelerates and resources dwindle, businesses must shift from extractive practices to regenerative ones. This is not just about ticking a sustainability box; it’s about future-proofing businesses.

Research from Harvard Business Review has shown that companies with a strong sustainability focus are more resilient during economic downturns and outperform their competitors in long-term profitability. Responsible Leadership isn’t just the ethical choice—it’s the smart business choice.

Where Are You on This Journey?

“Responsible leadership (or whatever label you prefer to use) is not a separate school of leadership but rather a particular blend of leadership characteristics applied within a definitive context” Wayne Visser

It starts with self-awareness. McKinsey research shows that successful leaders today possess high levels of emotional intelligence and self-regulation, traits that align with regenerative thinking. Ask yourself: Are you cultivating a leadership style that not only achieves results but also nurtures the potential of everyone around you?

The model below illustrates some of  the different dichotomies of leadership, starting from a traditional, extractive mindset and moving toward a responsible one. Take stock of where you are and where you’d like to go. Are you creating spaces that allow others to thrive, or are you operating in ways that drain energy and resources? 

Nature as a business advantage and blueprint for Leadership

The need for this new leadership paradigm has never been more urgent. According to the World Economic Forum, over 50% of global GDP is moderately or highly dependent on nature and its services. Yet, current business practices are depleting the very ecosystems we rely on for survival. More companies are recognising this, and empathy is becoming a critical skill in leadership—helping businesses reconnect with their communities and natural environments.

Research by McKinsey indicates that nature-based business models not only contribute to sustainability but will also create opportunities for $10 trillion in business value by 2030. Businesses that integrate nature into their strategy—regenerating natural resources rather than exploiting them—are finding new pathways to innovation and success.

Responsible leaders can look to nature for guidance. Nature is inherently regenerative—it operates in cycles where waste is turned into nourishment, diversity fosters resilience, and collaboration ensures balance. What can we learn from these natural processes? Ecosystems thrive because they are interconnected and interdependent, much like organisations.  Whether it’s ensuring that the workplace culture fosters well-being, making decisions that consider long-term environmental impacts, or partnering with the local community on initiatives that benefit all, this approach is about looking at the bigger picture

Building a better future

As a leader, you are  called to play a pivotal role in addressing some of the biggest global challenges, from inequality to climate change. But this doesn’t mean you need to have all the answers. Start by reflecting on your actions today—how can you lead in a way that’s restorative, life-affirming, and future-oriented?

Begin by asking yourself:

• What kind of legacy am I building with my leadership?
• Am I fostering environments where people feel valued and empowered?
• How can I shift from a mindset of extraction to one of optimisation?

 “The way we lead today shapes the world we leave for tomorrow.”

Deloitte reports – The resilient leader: Why organizations need leaders who can build resilience; Leadership in a disruptive world

McKinsey & Company reports Developing tomorrow’s leaders today; The need for systems thinking in leadership