ESG Mindset Shifts Every Business Leader Needs to Know

Send me a message In this episode, which is generously sponsored by Component Sense, I sit down with Joanne Flinn, Chair of the ESG Institute, to unpack what it really means to push sustainability forward in business, far beyond the usual carbon targets. Joanne shares her personal journey to becoming an advocate for sustainable transformation, influenced by her father’s work in agricultural economics and her early exposure to global sustainability issues. We dig into the critical work the ESG Institute is doing to guide companies on their ESG journeys, especially around complex challenges like value chain sustainability and the need for clarity in multi-stakeholder decision-making. Joanne explains the Institute"s “Sustainability Readiness Profiles,” a practical tool to help companies identify their ESG maturity and shape their approach accordingly – whether they’re observers, pledgers, compliers, or transformers. We also discuss the mindset shifts needed to make sustainability integral to business strategies: moving from short-term gains to long-term resilience and embracing multi-dimensional goals beyond simple profit metrics. Joanne even makes an unexpected (but spot-on) connection between ESG in business and the evolving safety standards in rugby. Tune in to learn why approaching sustainability as a “game of lifting standards” can drive real change, and what steps leaders can take now to create a thriving, resilient future. Elevate your brand with the ‘Sustainable Supply Chain’ podcast, the voice of supply chain sustainability. Last year, this podcast's episodes were downloaded over 113,000 times by senior supply chain executives around the world. Become a sponsor. Lead the conversation. Contact me for sponsorship opportunities and turn downloads into dialogues. Act today. Influence the future. Rumi.ai All-in-one meeting tool with real-time transcription & searchable Meeting Memory™ Support the show Podcast supporters I"d like to sincerely thank this podcast"s generous supporters: Lorcan Sheehan Olivier Brusle Alicia Farag Kieran Ognev And remember you too can Support the Podcast - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent episodes like this one. Podcast Sponsorship Opportunities: If you/your organisation is interested in sponsoring this podcast - I have several options available. Let"s talk! Finally If you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - feel free to just send me a direct message on LinkedIn, or send me a text message using this link. If you liked this show, please don"t forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover it. Thanks for listening.