In October I spoke at the Climate Change Summit in Bucharest, alongside the President of Romania, about The Now Work and how we reimagine impact work by crafting systems that are not only more sustainable for people but also unlock innovation and amplify impact. The conversations that followed my presentation were both eye-opening and affirming, highlighting just how deeply the way we work shapes our well-being and creativity.
One recurring theme stood out: many people acknowledge the toll anxiety and burnout take on their work, motivation, and creative potential. Yet, we seem to accept these as inevitable by-products of modern work culture. We assume that our organizational systems, no matter how flawed, are unchangeable—behemoths too vast for us to reimagine or reshape. Worse still, we internalize these struggles as personal shortcomings, rather than systemic issues tied to how work is structured and valued at both organizational and societal levels.
The antidote to anxiety is action—that’s a well-worn phrase for a reason. But what happens when the very systems we operate in block that action at every turn? When compliance piles up, resources dwindle, and every step forward feels like wading through quicksand, it’s no wonder meaningful progress starts to feel out of reach. And when the work we’re trying to advance—like sustainability—feels so urgent, these barriers are especially frustrating.
In my presentation, I shared three strategies we use at The Now Work to help sustainability teams overcome these challenges, unlock their potential, and feel empowered:
1. Bringing the C-suite on board with executive visioning sessions.
Leadership buy-in isn’t just a checkbox—it’s transformative. Through our facilitated sessions, executives gain a macro-level understanding of the future and define who their organization needs to become to stay relevant and impactful. This process shines a spotlight on sustainability’s pivotal role across the entire value chain, making its importance not just clear, but undeniable. When leadership sees sustainability as integral to their success, the entire organization starts to align.
2. Redefining how sustainability teams interact within organizations.
Sustainability teams often face the daunting task of engaging every department—finance, operations, marketing, you name it. Done poorly, they risk being seen as an obstructive compliance group. Done well, they become trusted partners. We help teams design intentional interaction models that position them as enablers of success. It’s about reframing their role to make it clear that sustainability is everyone’s job—and showing how collaboration can lead to better outcomes for all.
3. Providing access to an agile and expert workforce.
In a fast-evolving field like sustainability, staying ahead can feel like a Herculean task. That’s why we connect teams with on-demand expertise and additional capacity. Whether it’s a pressing need for extra hands on deck or niche expertise on a complex issue, having the right support at the right time makes all the difference. No one should have to pull an all-nighter trying to become an instant expert in carbon accounting or supply chain transparency. By ensuring sustainability teams are properly resourced, we help them focus on what they do best: driving meaningful change.
The energy and ideas sparked during the summit left me inspired but also reminded me of the urgency of this work. If we’re going to tackle the intertwined challenges of burnout, innovation, and sustainability, we need a collective shift. It’s not just about redesigning roles or processes—it’s about reshaping our fundamental beliefs about what work can and should be.
I believe we can build work cultures that are as sustainable for people as they are for the planet. But it starts with action—action that unblocks, empowers, and redefines. Let’s not wait for permission to imagine a better way forward. Let’s start building it now.
