Lessons from Sustainability Leadership
Leading from the Roots
We can’t believe it’s been a whole year since our Johns Hopkins University - Sustainability Leadership course in Moose River, Maine. This class truly changed our lives. It’s how M.E. Society blossomed and transformed from an idea into an organization; it’s how two strangers became dear friends and brought this idea to life. The lessons we learned throughout this course will remain with us as we grow our organization from the ground up.
This class is a field course offered by Johns Hopkins University for graduate students. While it is officially titled “Sustainability Leadership,” it can also be framed as “Life Lessons 101.” The takeaways from this course can be applied to any field and can be appreciated by anyone, regardless of their supposed “authority.” This course was designed to empower people in their own spheres of influence through empathy, thoughtfulness and creative problem-solving. It helps students and their educators connect with one another in a meaningful way with a beautiful natural space serving as the classroom. It helps students identify the tools they need to be effective leaders in their personal, professional and academic lives alike.
After our Sustainability Leadership class in Maine, Melissa agreed to T.A. the following semester for the Sustainability Leadership class hosted in Costa Rica! For Melissa, it was a wonderful opportunity to learn the lessons as a student and then again as an educator; to learn from and with the students as well as to teach them. The chance to be a teaching assistant meant the chance to bestow problem-solving and communication techniques upon future leaders in the realm of sustainability and environmental science. At times, it proved to be a test of her skills acquired as a student, yet ultimately helped her become more empathetic, humble, and open-minded. Getting to teach in one of the most beautiful, biodiverse countries in the world was a pretty big bonus as well.
We’ve gathered our most important takeaways from Sustainability Leadership and are sharing them with you from both a student and a T.A. point-of-view :)
#1: Have an open mind.
The two of us met by drawing random numbers and getting assigned as roommates. Now, we are best friends and have started a business together. You never know what each day will bring, so embrace the unknown! Welcome the opportunity to live outside your comfort zone, even just for a little while - after all, you can’t get any fruit without going out on a limb.
#2: Knowledge does not always equal behavior change.
Knowing the facts doesn’t necessarily equate to facilitating meaningful change. Additionally, we can't expect others to change their behavior just because they are aware of a problem. To truly open our minds and thus change our behaviors, we must check ourselves and be aware of our own biases to actively work to amend them. Knowledge, without the ability to implement effective processes that initiate measurable change, is knowledge wasted. Knowledge is but a tool to advance change - an individual must know how to use that tool in the best ways to communicate effectively.
#3: Check your inattention blindness.
Looking at something doesn’t necessarily mean you truly see it. It is often such the case that when trying to creatively problem-solve, we fail to see the issue holistically or fail to get to the root of the issue. We often overlook obvious solutions given the illusion of attention - we believe we see a lot more than we actually do. Being able to step back from an overwhelming and/or stressful situation to give ourselves clarity can allow us to be our best selves. A little self-reflection can go a long way.
If you’re interested in learning more about this,
#4: Start a daily gratitude practice.
It’s easy to become so accustomed to the wonders of our daily lives that we fail to appreciate them. Especially in our modern society, we are prone to comparing our lives to others, and as a result we often feel that we need more to be happy. In reality, there are many gifts we enjoy just by existing. Start a daily gratitude practice to help keep yourself grounded and remember all that you have to be thankful for - the feeling of sunshine warming your skin, a gentle breeze rustling the trees, the song of a bird or the smell of the rain. This could mean keeping a journal, spending a few minutes of quiet reflection, having a conversation with a trusted friend, and so much more.
#5: People don’t buy “what” you are doing, they buy “why” you are doing it.
Like we mentioned previously, knowledge doesn’t always equate to action. There needs to be a mission, a story, an end goal for people to aspire to and hope for if meaningful change is to arise. Ask yourself why you are passionate and why it is absolutely necessary for people to help you. Don’t neglect those with viewpoints who oppose yours - it is important to listen to what they have to say so you can understand their plight and better address it.
If you’re interested in learning more about this,
Check out Simon Sinek’s TED talk on “how great leaders inspire action” and the golden circle theory here.
#6: Expect the unexpected, and expect to have missed something.
Life will always throw curveballs and no matter how well you prepare, sometimes things happen beyond your control and bring unforeseen challenges or obstacles. It is important to prepare yourself for realistic alternative outcomes, but sometimes more important to give yourself grace when things happen beyond your control. Have a positive attitude when it comes to facing life’s challenges and curveballs - it’ll help you think of creative solutions and keep a good spirit in the face of trials and tribulations.
#7: It is important to challenge your assumptions and check your biases.
Everyone has bias, even if it is unconscious it still can impact how you make decisions and what your beliefs are fueled by. It is necessary to not only be aware of our assumptions and biases, but to actively challenge them and not let them influence decision-making. Recognizing the limitations of our own perspectives can help us understand opposing viewpoints and imagine creative solutions.
#8: We rise by lifting others.
Diverse viewpoints and backgrounds are special, and equally valuable when problem-solving or simply collaborating. It is important to empower others, particularly those who seem reserved. If you think that you are the smartest person in the room, you are in the wrong room and you are certainly not the smartest. Give your co-collaborators the space to share their input without speaking over them, shooting down their perspectives, or neglecting them entirely. Complex problems require complex solutions, which can arise from diverse viewpoints.
Which one resonates with you the most? Which can you incorporate into your life? Leave a comment in the box below and let us know :)
We hope you enjoyed reading through our key takeaways from the Sustainability Leadership class. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email us (me.society.hq@gmail.com) or leave us a comment in the box at the bottom of this page.
With love,
Kayla & Melissa