Strong leadership has the potential to transform the way a company engages with social, environmental and development challenges. But when development-minded leaders leave their corporations, the challenge lies in ensuring those cross-sectoral partnerships and sustainable business practices live on after their departure.
It’s a challenge that deserves attention, especially as leaders emerge like Unilever CEO Paul Polman, who participated with other private sector chiefs to recommend Sustainable Development Goals framework. But perhaps it begs attention even more so thanks to the examples of companies that have backslid following the departure of a leader — when suddenly a bad quarter means a change in policy.
Devex spoke with Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, former chairman of Shell, who has been engaged on these issues for many years, including through his role as chairman of the foundation for the United Nations Global Compact.