1. National Learning at Work Day, Thursday 22 May 2008 Sustainable Workplaces - Sustainable World In this short presentation, designed specifically for the National Learning at Work Day, Thursday 22 May 2008, you will find some tools to help you in your mission – if it is to help create sustainable workplaces and a sustainable world. Bruce Nixon www.brucenixon.com Copyright ©2004-2005 Bruce Nixon. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2008 Bruce Nixon. All rights reserved

2. Climate change, poverty and injustice and violence We face a crisis - the biggest challenge in human history It is an opportunity to create a better way of life, better workplaces and a better world Copyright © 2008 Bruce Nixon All rights reserved

3. The situation we are in It’s a wonderful world! Endless possibilities and opportunities Technological revolution Increasing information, connections, choice and empowerment Freedom from hard labour; longevity and health Enjoyment of rich diversity Increasing freedom from tyrannies Growing awareness of one world – transforming consciousness ……in the West! Copyright © 2008 Bruce Nixon. All rights reserved

4. The Crisis is a Challenge and an Opportunity Three Big Issues The effects of rapid economic growth on all life on the planet Peak oil – oil which enabled our extraordinary affluence is running out Poverty, injustice and violence Copyright © 2008 Bruce Nixon. All rights reserved

5. The challenges of the 21 st century The environment, poverty, global injustice and violent conflict are the most urgent issues facing everyone everywhere Massive shift of power from West to East - BRIC Unprecedented uncertainty, unpredictability, insecurity and change To thrive and survive, we must offer excellence and continuously adapt - no denial No one person can possibly know what needs to be done The collective intelligence of stakeholders at every level is needed - releasing everyone’s initiative and creativity Copyright © 2008 Bruce Nixon. All rights reserved

6. We are part of a living system The key thing to understand is: Living systems cannot be controlled. They hit back hard if not respected That’s the lesson of climate change and the disastrous war in Iraq We need to respect the planet and each other and find non-violent ways of resolving conflict Copyright © 2008 Bruce Nixon. All rights reserved

7. We need a revolution in workplace culture From: –Workplaces that limit, frustrate, alienate and disempower people – People fear taking responsibility - for generations they have been discouraged from doing so –They feel no sense of commitment or ownership – not included in key decisions – lack of dignity or appreciation. – They complain and blame To: Copyright © 2008 Bruce Nixon. All rights reserved

8. Sustainable Workplaces that release spirit and energy All stakeholders fully involved in change, learning and discovery Everyone takes responsibility Leaders listen, admit truth; people face conflict, find common ground Diversity and difference valued and respected OK to be unique you Celebrate – excitement and fun Heart, mind, body and spirit Balance – space to reflect, recover, be creative – not macho. Copyright © 2008 Bruce Nixon. All rights reserved

9. Here are some tools to help you play your part in changing your workplace and the world They can be used for teams, groups, pairs or for individual reflection both to help take wise and informed action and for leadership, personal and professional development. Copyright © 2008 Bruce Nixon. All rights reserved

10. A strategy for change that works Prepare the ground – seek to understand Get out; identify stakeholders; network; connect; ask valuable questions; encourage conversations Build trusting relationships and partnership See the opportunities in the big issues Work with the energy for change; respect “restraining forces” too. Co-create: “get the whole system into the room” Review regularly together Develop leaders of leaders - release energy, responsibility Study and multiply what works Get support to fulfil your higher self: renew and reflect. Listen to people who will tell you the truth – even if you won’t like it Copyright © 2008 Bruce Nixon. All rights reserved

11. Getting Sustainability it into the Lifeblood of the Organisation (1) Your Purpose Who am I? My values, purpose and mission. My unique difference, contribution, brand. (2) Build relationships and collect data Prepare the ground; Identify stakeholders; make friends; ask valuable questions; listen; contract to help. (3) Make your Diagnosis Key issues the organisation faces; its fundamental issues; these are opportunities (4) Develop your Vision for a sustainable future A sustainable world, organisation, my part of it and myself. (5) Key Strategic Interventions that will make the greatest difference – less is more; processes to engage people in co- creating change; unique leadership role. (6) Influencing Strategy The business case. Identify key stakeholders, who you need to influence, network you need. (7) Key Issues Obstacles you need to work on: out there in your group above all, in me (8) Action & Support Plan implementation and support CHANGE AGENTS MODEL Copyright © 2008 Bruce Nixon. All rights reserved

12. STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP MODEL © Getting Sustainability into the Lifeblood of the Organisation (1) Global Forces What is going on in the environment and affecting us? Outside forces. Key trends. What are the big issues and opportunities? (2) Current State Rigorous review: how well are we responding? Sustainability, good & harm we do, organisational health, culture. The key issues - opportunities. (3) Purpose & Values Inspiring purpose and values, corporate and personal. My/our unique contribution, difference (4) Vision of a Sustainable Future Your vision: world, organisation, your part of it, yourself. Include the new culture needed. (5) Sustainability Strategy Key strategic actions and processes to involve people in co-creating change, my unique leadership role. Less is more. (6) Influencing Strategy The business case. Identify key stakeholders, who you need to influence, network you need. (7) Key Issues Obstacles you need to work on: out there in your group above all, in you (8) Action & Support Plan implementation and support Copyright © 2008 Bruce Nixon. All rights reserved

13. Checklist for the Strategic Leadership Model Getting Sustainability into the Lifeblood of the Organisation The Global Picture Taking the widest possible view, what are the most important global issues? The major threats to the environment, to humanity, to society, to the world economy and to our business? What is already affecting us? Most important, what are the potential opportunities? Current State Rigorous review; our contribution: economic, environmental and social – how well are we responding. Our positive impact on society? In what ways are we doing harm? What are we doing that is unsustainable? Outside the orgaoisation and inside. What are the most important issues/opportunities? Purpose & Values What are my personal values and purpose? Corporate values and mission? How well do they fit? Where do I stand? What am I prepared to challenge? My Vision of a Sustainable Future Starting from the best, most probable scenario. World; organisation; my part of it; myself. Include organisation culture. Strategic Initiatives to increase our positive impact on Society and minimise harm: What are the key issues for us to tackle – the key opportunities to focus on? Key strategic actions; processes to involve people in co-creating change, my unique leadership role. Influencing Strategy Risks I am prepared to take. The business case. Who do I need to influence? Network I need? Key Issues: Obstacles I need to work on: out there; in my group; above all, in me! As within, so without. This is an opportunity, in Open Space, to get support from colleagues and tutor team or identify other sources of support. Action & Support Plan implementation and support. Copyright © 2008 Bruce Nixon. All rights reserved

14. An Agenda for a Good Listening to What is working well? Good news. Celebrate. Focus on this. Think about where there could be more of it, how to multiply it. What is the current situation? What concerns you or has been difficult? How do you feel? What is the gift in this - message? What is the key issue that, if addressed, would transform the situation? Vision How do you want to change things? How would it look if everything exceeded your highest hopes? What if you got in touch with your passion? What is your higher purpose? Your exciting vision of the way things could be and need to be. What will get in the way if you don’t tackle it? Out there and in you. What will you do then? What are those few, key actions that will make all the difference and be “less is more”? Who do you need to influence? What support do you need? From whom? Can I help? Copyright © 2008 Bruce Nixon. All rights reserved

15. SUPPORTING EACH OTHER People who are trying to give leadership in bringing about change need support. Here is a process for listening to each other in turn. What is going well? — celebrate success! What has been difficult? What does that teach you? What is the current situation and your thinking about it? Key issues and opportunities? How do you want to change things for the better? How would things be if everything were going well? What will get in the way if you do not tackle it? Most likely something in you! What will you do then? What support do you need and will get? Copyright © 2008 Bruce Nixon. All rights reserved

16. More Resources For more resources like these and further explanation about how to use them go to: www.brucenixon.com where there are numerous writings, resources and linkswww.brucenixon.com There are further resources in my books: Living System – Making sense of sustainability, forewords by Anita Roddick and Meg Wheatley, 2006 Making a Difference – strategies and tools for transforming your organisation, revised 2001 Global Forces - A Guide for Enlightened Leaders - what Companies and Individuals can Do, updated 2003 obtainable from my website and Management Books 2000, tel 01285-771441/2; e- mail: mb2000@btconnect.com; web: www.mb2000.com or from bookshops and www.amazon.co.ukwww.amazon.co.uk Copyright © 2008 Bruce Nixon. All rights reserved