Dignity First Leadership: Developing & Driving a World Class Sustainability Strategy

Dignity First Leadership: Developing & Driving a World-Class Sustainability Strategy develops and advocates for a "Dignity First" approach to leadership, particularly in addressing the urgent challenge of human-caused climate breakdown. By centering human dignity - defined as the need and capacity for constructive social meaning - in our thinking, speaking, and actions, we can more effectively tackle the climate crisis at the executive, enterprise, and economic levels. This paradigm shift moves away from viewing businesses and economies as machines to be optimized for efficiency and instead recognizes them as human systems that should prioritize the well-being and dignity of all stakeholders. The book provides a framework for sustainability leaders to implement this through a six-phase change management approach, while emphasizing the importance of aligning with UN agreements on climate action.