At Nebo, we spend a great deal of time thinking about the future of leadership and partnering with clients to envision what is next for their organizations. In doing so, the conversation naturally extends beyond business outcomes to a broader scope. It becomes about ensuring a sustainable future not only for organizations but also for the communities they serve, the people they impact, and the world in which they operate. This perspective reinforces that long-term success is deeply connected to the health and resilience of the environment around us.
Leaders serve as stewards, responsible for guiding both people and organizations with care and intention. As we consider the health of our planet, stewardship takes on an even greater meaning. It asks leaders to reflect on the role they play, not only within their organizations, but as citizens contributing to a larger system. The question becomes how leadership decisions, priorities, and actions can support the responsible use of natural resources and help shape a future that is thoughtful, balanced, and built to last.
As we think of our roles as stewards of the Earth, we often like to refer to Mary Oliver’s poem,
The Summer Day:
Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean—
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down—
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
When confronting environmental issues today, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale and urgency of the challenges. As leaders, there is an opportunity to move beyond that and take a more proactive role, shifting from reacting to problems to shaping solutions. This begins with engaging as collaborators across organizations and communities, bringing people together around shared priorities and meaningful action.
Leadership in this space is not about having all the answers, but about creating alignment and momentum. Small, consistent efforts can drive meaningful progress when they are intentional and connected to broader goals. As you reflect on the places that matter most to you, consider what it means to be a steward, taking responsibility for the long-term impact of your decisions.
In your role as a leader, the focus becomes what you can influence and how you show up. What actions will support sustainability and resilience in the places you value? With one wild and precious life, there is an opportunity to lead in a way that is both purposeful and lasting.
If you are interested in growing in your leadership role as a steward of resources and place, contact us to schedule a conversation.
Photo by Fahim mohammed jaseem on Unsplash