Leadership Conversations by TSB

Professor Alex Edmans discusses rational sustainability, focusing on long-term value creation over politics. Boards should evaluate sustainability issues rationally, recognizing trade-offs. Sustainability initiatives can lead to long-term profits and serve both business and society.

In this episode of Leadership Conversations by TSB, we speak with Alison Taylor, Clinical Associate Professor at NYU Stern School of Business and Executive Director at Ethical Systems. She discusses the current state of sustainable business, particularly in the U.S., exploring the polarised perspectives and the impact of political and social dynamics on corporate ethics. Alison challenges common myths and misconceptions about business sustainability and ethics. She emphasises the need for a strategic, limited, and authentic approach to sustainability, criticising both overly ambitious corporate promises and the unrealistic expectations placed on businesses. The episode offers a critical look at the narratives surrounding sustainable business practices. Alison also gives a sneak peek into her upcoming book, "Higher Ground: How Business Can Do the Right Thing in a Turbulent World," which aims to provide practical advice for corporate leaders grappling with ethical challenges in the 21st century.

In this episode we speak with Frank White, a space philosopher. Frank has coined the term ‘The Overview effect’ which describes the awe-inspiring experience of viewing the Earth from space. He has found that with great consistency, this experience profoundly affects space travellers’ perceptions of themselves, our world, and our future. He talks to us about the magnitude of overview effect experiences, sustainable space migration, and why all his narratives aim to create a sustainable future on earth. Frank also suggests we need an 18th UN Sustainability Development Goal: Space.

In the first live session of our podcast that was held in August 2023 we discuss the secrets to 'Building a Sustainability Culture'. We explore the highlights and insights from a new report with Paul Washington from The Conference Board' and Srinand Yalamanchili from Baker Tilly. We discuss how boards, management, and the entire organisation play crucial roles in shaping this culture, as well as the role of purpose and incentives. The report 'Building a Sustainability Culture' can be downloaded here: https://www.conference-board.org/press/press-release-building-a-sustainability-culture

In this episode we speak to Beth Sasfai, Partner at the renowned law firm Cooley. We talk about the challenge of sustainability reporting requirements and how most companies have lost the idea of big ambitious goals. We also discuss the difference in sustainability governance and ESG strategy between public and private businesses, and common blind posts in start-ups that create risk. Beth talks about her personal experiences counselling for clients on ESG; which stakeholders she considers to be the most influential right now; and she shares her recommendations for sustainability oversight on board level.

In this episode we speak with Andrew Behar, the CEO of As You Sow, the United States’ leading non-profit practitioner of shareholder advocacy and engagement. We talk about how As You Sow engages with boards and management teams on issues like climate change; toxins in the food system; ocean plastics; diversity, equity, and inclusion; racial justice; and wage equity. Andrew shares some fascinating statistics on how As You Sow’s reports and research are driving strategic initiatives with businesses on these issues. Andrew shares what toolkit they are using if a company is unreceptive to positive change, and his favourite engagement story of two large businesses in the food industry.

Join us on this episode of Leadership Conversations as we speak with Rachel Youngman, the deputy CEO at the Institute of Physics. Rachel shares her unconventional career journey, from having worked at the international bar association to leading a science organisation, and how she has dedicated her career to achieving more sustainable outcomes and enabling companies to meet their ESG targets. We delve into Rachel's work in promoting diversity and inclusion in the world of science, including her focus on enabling non-dominant groups and girls to enter the field. Rachel inspires us to take career paths that can make a real difference in the world, and she offers practical insights into the power of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

In this episode we speak with James Purcell, Group Head of Sustainable Frameworks at Credit Suisse. He has co-authored a new book called 'Sustainable Investing in Practice'. We talk to James why he wrote the book, what he is trying to achieve, and why sustainable finance shouldn’t be a difficult concept. He explains the dangers of polarisation and the importance of taking an accessible and scale approach to impact. James also expands on ESG data and why he feels for business leaders who are overwhelmed.

In our latest episode we speak with Nazneen Rahman, scientist, physician, entrepreneur, and non-executive director (NED). Nazneen discusses how she combines her life science and sustainability expertise. She explains her current initiative to significantly reduce wasted medicines as CEO of YewMaker. Then she shares her thoughts on sustainable governance and organisational implementation of ESG strategies from her experience as a NED on the board of AstraZeneca, where she chairs the science and sustainability committee. Nazneen also is a singer/songwriter and we play her song 'Midlife Musings' at the end of the interview.

In this episode we speak with Kayla Winarsky McKenzie of the Business for Social Responsbility (BSR). She is a recognised human rights expert and gives us some insights into her career journey and what issues made her specialise in this field. Kayla gives us an overview of the role of business in human rights due diligence and governance, and reveals the problems at hand, focus areas, guiding standards and steps to take to mitigate human rights violations. She also shares some materials from the WEF on boards and human rights (that BSR contributed to): Launch blog: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/05/businesses-must-step-up-for-human-rights-at-this-time-of-global-crisis/ Guidance note: https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Guidance_Note_2022.pdf Report: https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_How_Corporate_Boards_Can_Engage_Affected_Stakeholders_to_Secure_Human_Rights_2022.pdf