12th Permaculture-inspired tip to help you carry out your mission of transformation
“Using and adding value to renewable services and resources”
I am writing a series on the parallels between the twelve operational principles of permaculture and organizational change, with the aim of supporting changemakers in creating sustainable transformations.
💡 EXPLAINING THE PERMACULTURE PRINCIPLE
Permaculture is an agricultural method that seeks to integrate human activity with the natural environment in order to create highly efficient, self-sustaining ecosystems.
The permaculture principle we’ll explore today is quite simple to apply but is often overlooked.
We are encouraged to “use renewable resources.”
Renewable resources are those that can be replenished and renewed, taking into account the time required to produce them.
Let's take an example from everyday life: your energy levels. Chances are you'll often feel full of energy if you:
Listen to your body and mind.
Rest when you feel tired.
Get enough sleep.
Meet inspiring people.
Spend time doing things you enjoy.
On the other hand, you may become exhausted and even collapse if you do the opposite.
This permaculture principle also encourages us to make the most of what is available right here and now. In organizations, this means your time, current projects, ideas, and even those of your colleagues and partners.
🔍 ILLUSTRATING THE PERMACULTURE PRINCIPLE AS APPLIED TO A MISSION OF TRANSFORMATION
Let's take a look at a key resource for the success of change agents within organizations: the support of top management.
Applying this permaculture principle means not seeking approval from all the leaders of the various units within your organization before launching your project. You can establish credibility and make a positive impact by starting with a pilot project that has just one genuinely committed sponsor.
When I started working at Veolia Asia more than 10 years ago, I was conducting sustainable development assessments at our operational sites.
This approach was not only a good way to connect with the field and understand their challenges, but also to obtain a 360° snapshot of the site's operations and overall performance.
I could tell that the operators were very happy because:
They felt recognized and supported.
Site members and managers had facts and insights to highlight the positive impact of their work on customers and members of the local community.
They were able to quickly identify the key areas for improvement and the cross-functional projects that were often overlooked.
This type of mission successfully bridged the gap between the “field” and “headquarters.” Field employees identified where headquarters staff were needed, not the other way around.
However, I had a hard time getting the entity's directors to agree to these assessments.
One day during a seminar, a director—whom I’ll call John—said to me, “Stop asking them. Come work for me. You already have more than thirty sites available to you. The rest will follow.”
You know what? He was right. In just a few years, his organization’s success stories led other organizations and countries to implement sustainable development assessments.
🐝 TIPS TO GET MOVING
Look around and identify:
Three resource persons to support you in your missions and challenges (e.g., mentors, a coach, a dedicated sponsor, inspiring peers, a friend who listens to you, and a newsletter author).
Three activities that give you the energy you need to keep going (for example, mine are yoga, nature walks, spending time with my daughter, and music).
Three projects that could create a ripple effect and inspire others to get involved in the movement you are launching (e.g., a “human factor” mural, an assessment of the carbon footprints of business solutions, and a review of employee bonus schemes that take into account their social, societal, and environmental actions).
So, do you see the abundance all around you? Take it one step at a time. I’m confident you’ll move in the direction you want. If you need to move faster or more efficiently, please feel free to reach out to me—I’d be happy to listen.
As we come to the end of this series of articles exploring the parallels between permaculture and organizational transformation, I’d like to acknowledge and thank two authors who inspired me throughout this process:
“Everything on This Earth Goes Round and Round, We're the Only Ones Who Don't Know It”by Marine Simon
“The Sustainable Entrepreneur's Guide” by Solène Pignet.
I recommend reading their books if you want to explore permaculture topics in greater depth.
“Aman is unhappy not because he has ambition, but because he is consumed by it.”
IF YOU FOUND THIS POST INSIGHTFUL, PLEASE LIKE IT AND SHARE IT WITH YOUR NETWORK. IT'S THE BEST WAY TO SUPPORT ME.
Here are the previous articles in this series: the first post, the second one, the third one, the 4th one, the 5th one, the 6th one, 7th one, 8th one, 9th one, 10th one, the 11th one.
Hi, Changemakers!
I am Nina, an impact maker coach who specializes in leadership and sustainable transformation.
I have spent the past 10+ years leading sustainable change at a Fortune 500 company in a multicultural environment. Through my work, I aim to inspire professionals in organizations to rethink business and make them proud to contribute, in their own way, to a more sustainable, humane, and nature-friendly world. If you’d like support to advance on your journey with greater impact and ease, contact me!
