How we can all effect change

“For the wicked problems that we face today we need tools to help connect and influence people who aren’t in the same organisations – and we have got a bunch of tools that do that.”

These ‘wicked problems’ are the very toughest social and cultural problems we face, like food insecurity, climate change, and economic inequity. Challenges Dr Bruce Hull, my guest today on Inside Ideas, looks at from a leadership perspective. Leadership, he says, that we can all show and implement, not leadership that begins with a job title.

“Everyone can practice leadership with these tools. You don’t have to wait for the corner office, we need to lead from where we are,” he said.

Inspiring case studies show how the book’s strategies and principles can be applied to diverse situations.

How we do this is the theme of his new book: Leadership for Sustainability: Strategies for Tackling Wicked Problems. Which provides a holistic framework for how people can ‘lead from where they are by applying leadership principles and practices to a wide range of wicked situations’.

“Blending systems thinking approaches with leadership techniques, it offers dozens of strategies and specific practices that build on the foundation of three main skills: connecting, collaborating, and adapting,” publisher Island Press said.

The book also serves as a guide to delivering Bruce’s vision of the future. Which is one that empowers all of us to participate in creating it. “That’s leadership,” he tells me. “Empowering people to effect change, not relying on someone at the top to give us that vision.”

I am delighted to have Bruce on the show to learn more about the leadership methods and mindsets he believes can help tackle the toughest challenges we face.

Dr Bruce Hull

Bruce is a Senior Fellow, Center for Leadership in Global Sustainability. Professor, Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation. President of Board of Directors, Climate Solutions University. Advisory Committee member, Center for Communicating Science. Curriculum Committee Chair, Interfaces for Global Change Interdisciplinary Graduate Education Program.

His other books include: Infinite Nature (2006) Chicago Press; Restoring Nature (2000) (Island Press).