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Sustainability can be defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. At least as to the UN Bruntland Commission report ‘Our Common Future’ in 1987. By executive management teams and boards, sustainability has long been considered something outside of the core business. But times are changing.

Sustainability is no longer something for conscious consumers and brands in some of the most developed countries …

Have you heard about Vertical Leadership Development? It goes beyond traditional executive coaching methods and traditional leadership education - and focuses on expanding your mindset. You can learn more on Forbes, in Journal of Values Based Leadership, in Journal of Leadership Education, and in Harvard Business Review.

Why it should be of interest to you? Leaders on a higher level of vertical development have been proven to be considerably more successful in orchestrating organization-wide tr…

Sustainability strategy and reporting are still often seen as functional responsibilities, rather than something that is well-integrated in the overall business strategy and business model. However, this is changing. The notion of sustainable business is slowly shifting from the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility, to one that is deeply embedded into the core business.

Patagonia and Unilever offer examples of companies that have integrated sustainability into their cores. For them, susta…

A purpose is the reason for why something is done, created, or exists. A higher purpose is something to strive for that is bigger than you and your company. It often includes an important societal issue, where the company takes a stand.

We all want to matter and to make a difference in the world, at work, or in someone else's life. A “higher purpose” is how we find deep meaning and fulfilment in our lives by contributing to someone or something that is bigger than ourselves.

Companies that are…

A business opportunity is generally considered an opening in the business environment that - when exploited - can create economic value.

Good business opportunities normally align with an organization’s competences and skills, are relevant for the current and future business environment, are possible to finance, and are verifiable.

But if you do not understand the wicked problems in the first place, how could you go about seizing the related opportunities?

There is help. The Agenda 2030 was a…

We live in a world of accelerating change where industrialization and globalization has helped us leap forward and transform the world in ways that were previously unimaginable. Today, our lifespans are longer, we are better educated, millions have been lifted out of poverty, and our way of living is more comfortable than ever before. 

This comfort has, however, also come at a great cost for our planet, with unwanted consequences such as biodiversity loss and climate change. Over the years, it …

As business leaders we have a unique opportunity to make a difference. Not only for our companies and teams, but for the larger picture: our communities, and even our planet. We just need to know where to start, and then take one small step at a time. 

About 20 years ago, I moved from market research positions at Unilever and GfK to become responsible for one of Sweden’s pioneering sustainability brands, Grumme. I stayed for a five year period and learned a lot. Still today, Grumme is considere…

In business lingo, wicked problems, such as climate change and the related changes in consumer values, politics, and regulations can be viewed as inflection points. As such, they have a potentially vast impact on businesses across the globe.

An inflection point is a moment where a certain change in your business environment will mean a dramatic change to your business. Used strategically, this turning point can poise your business for bigger things. It can create new spaces – blue oceans – and …

A few years back Johan Rockström at the Stockholm Resilient Center delivered this important TED Talk. Here he shares data and research about how we can build a robust future without wrecking the planet. He particularly highlights the need to think outside of the box since the governments and companies of this world are still not delivering on the SDGs. He also stresses that the SDGs only are goals till 2030 and that our solutions need to go beyond that.

Johan also shares a new research-based me…

In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, end of May 2020, I delivered the final lecture to the participants of the one-year Executive Program in Industrial Management at KTH Executive School in Stockholm - for the second consecutive year.

The title of this year's lecture was "To Lead in a V…