“How do we collectively have all our needs met within ecological limits” was one of the quotes overheard at a recent MBA Sustainability Leadership Bootcamp, hosted by The Natural Step Canada that took place November 8th – 11th in Calgary. This question was one of the many that framed discussions, case studies and reflections that took place during this intensive workshop mixing business students, engineers, and sustainability professionals from diverse backgrounds. Sponsored by the Suncor Energy Foundation, the City of Calgary, and Sovereign General Insurance, and graciously hosted by Calgary Economic Development, these four days were an opportunity to get into sustainability shape with Tamara Connell and Sarah Brooks from The Natural Step. 

Day 1 kicked off with a quick introduction, and then a Dialogue café to get participants thinking about some big questions: Why were they there? Why sustainability? What is missing from the conversation? What needs to happen?

These questions started discussions - about linking pay to sustainability performance in mining companies to lessons learned from alternative economies that develop at Burning Man. It was uncanny to watch patterns emerge from all the individual tables; passion, courage, authenticity, capacity for collaboration, all emerged at the core of what needs to happen to move society towards sustainability.

Next came an introduction to systems mapping with a practice exercise, and then the participants were off to an all-star evening panel discussion featuring: Marlo Raynolds, VP, Market Development, BluEarth Renewables; Arlene Strom, VP, Sustainability and Communications, Suncor Energy; and Tim Weis, Director of Renewable Energy and Efficiency Policy at the Pembina Institute. Other members of the local sustainability community were invited to join the reception so it was a great opportunity for participants to connect with the local Calgary sustainability scene.

The panel moderator, Sarah Brooks, did an excellent job guiding the panel’s discussion to the content of the Bootcamp – thinking about mapping the systems you operate in, and getting the panel rolling on these complex issues. Hearing from these energy industry sustainability all-stars was a good warm up for the subsequent day.

Day 2 and 3, participants were given a brief overview of core concepts of Strategic Sustainable Development and Human Needs, and then thrown in to solve real world examples. One day of developing goals for Suncor Energy to contribute to a sustainable energy system, and one day working with the City of Calgary to help them engage their stakeholders as part of their Community Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan. Representatives from both these groups were in attendance – to share their challenges and the need for this work within their business.

With these tools, the need articulated, a clear deadline, some sticky notes, and instructions to self-facilitate, the groups got to work. They were focused, engaged, determined, and managed the self-facilitation and time pressures with ease. They presented back their findings, and gave the organizational representatives some rich information and likely new questions on how they can think about the future of energy and stakeholder engagement.

On the final day, Bob Willard, a Canada-based expert on the business value of corporate sustainability strategies presented. Bob says with confidence that “Tree hugger issues are hard-nosed business issues” and makes the case to back this up through his extensive research and experience. For him, sustainability for business is simple: mitigating risk and capitalizing on opportunities. He gave many real-life business examples that are happening out in the field – from PUMA’s environmental profit-and loss statement to sustainability tools created by the Chartered Accountants of Canada. 

As Bootcamp wrapped up, participants were asked to draw a picture of where they saw themselves at that moment with regards to sustainability and leadership.  Within a few minutes of solitude, the group came up with some inspiring reflections: How can we move the vision closer instead of taking people to your own vision? What are the glasses we need to put on to see things differently?

The final piece was an invitation to participants to write a post-card addressed to themselves with their commitment, to be sent to back to them in a few months. This cohort came out of their Bootcamp with some stronger sustainability muscles: new knowledge and tools, real-life examples to draw from, some A-HAs and some A-HAHAs, and even a few games mixed in throughout. All this was topped off with some facilitation techniques they experienced that they can use in their work, and a commitment to themselves written on a post-card that they will be receiving a few months from now, which will connect this experience to their future.

No doubt this cohort developed a stronger network of colleagues to draw on and collaborate with. They will have new ways of thinking about the sustainability challenge and their role within it, as they move on to the next stage of their own journeys.

The next Sustainability Leadership Bootcamp will take place in Vancouver on February 17-20, with the theme of Sustainable Food Systems.

Written by Amy Mireault, storyteller