Green-Team

Building Sustainability Teams 12 Ways

1.  Cross Functional

-----  A team with diverse functions and interests represented will be stronger and better positioned to build consensus throughout the organization.

-----  People who wear different hats should represent their various functions, which may include: sustainability, information services, facilities, research & development, marketing, communications, business development, sales, purchasing, top management, legal, human resources, environmental health & safety, finance & accounting, operations & manufacturing, and product/program development.


2.  Top-Management Led

-----  The team must be endorsed and, better yet, chartered by top management.

-----  It's best if the top management is on the team at least at key moments.


3.  Results Oriented

-----  Team sets actionable, incremental and doable goals.

-----  Team is relentless in accomplishing goals and achieving milestones.


4.  Accountable

-----  Plans and actions of team are accountable to top management and fit into the overall strategic plan of the business.

-----  Individual members have the work of the team included in their job performance and review goals.


5.  Measurable

-----  Team clearly defines all terms related to sustainability for the organization.

-----  Team tracks actions and accomplishments based on well-identified and defined metrics.


6.  Responsibly Fearless

-----  Team is willing to take the organization and business in new directions.

-----  Management empowers the team to take conscientious risks.


7.  Authoritative and Empowered

-----  Team is knowledgeable, credible and passionate.

-----  Team is imbued with decision-making capability at high levels of the enterprise.


8.  Visible and Informative

-----  Regularly and formally reports actions and accomplishments to management, employees and select constituents through new and existing channels of internal and external communication.

-----  Each team member presents actions, accomplishments and knowledge to employees in their individual function area.


9.  Learning Oriented

-----  No team knows it all.  Each member should spend time in learning best practices and latest understandings of sustainability.

-----  Team takes the time learning from each other and passing their learning on to others.


10.  Champion Driven

-----  One person with the knowledge and passion for sustainability helps keep the team together and focused.

-----  Champion cannot be a figurehead but a person with the skill to keep records and organize the team's work.


11.  Resource Fed

-----  Organization not only allows the time commitment from individual team members but also provides financial and other resources for the sustainability efforts can be effective.

-----  Team's budget could be funded through operational savings realized annually.


12.  Fun

-----  Team takes the time to enjoy themselves through such activities as an annual retreat, time for shared meals during meeting, or gatherings / receptions / parties.

-----  Organizations company-wide celebrations for key accomplishments, awards, results, etc.


To learn more about Sustainability Teams, attend a PFS Sustainability Workshop.