Mastering Strategic Risk: A Framework for Leading and Transforming Organizations

Chapter 5 Risky Business: Why the Environment Should Matter to You

Mastering strategic risk requires that companies develop robust environmental sustainability agendas. The Three Elements provide insight into the formidable challenges we face as they help us understand how the critical players in our high-stakes environmental drama are inextricably bound. Through this new lens individuals, the Earth, and industry form a compelling and highly symbiotic web of relationships—a set of interactions that must be held in balance in order to sustain life not only today but for generations to come.

Our Self-Centered Interests

As I hovered over my desk anxiously awaiting the call I had been expecting for several hours, the caller ID on my cell phone identified a private number coming through. Quite naturally, my first thought was, “This must be a telemarketer.” Frustrated, I took a deep breath and continued with the conversation on my office phone. I was testy, to tell the truth, as the call I was waiting for should have been from Hollywood, California.

At the time of the call, I was deeply engrossed in a productive conversation with a consultant who was providing much-needed guidance on my new project. I wasn’t willing to interrupt her, especially to answer a call from some random telemarketer, so we continued the conversation. After ending the call, I reluctantly checked my voicemail; the supposed telemarketer had left a message. As I listened to the message, I stood in silence, ...