Hospitals and health care facilities of all sizes are investing in the value sustainability can bring to their organization by hiring staff position(s) or placing the responsibility on existing employees. Some programs start from the bottom up, as grassroots efforts, while others may start with middle to upper management. It’s important to understand the drivers or motivation for the decision and how your executive sponsor will support you. Is sustainability seen as an ethical issue and in alignment with the moral compass and mission of your health system and the health sector? Is sustainability expected to help reduce operational, social, and reputational risks? Has sustainability and/or corporate responsibility been discussed as a talent management strategy and/or a way to address employee/staff satisfaction?
“Your mission within the first few weeks is to start integrating and embedding yourself in the organization and to build up an awareness of its key players. Start to make friends and allies, ask questions and understand the mood within which strategic decisions are made, and what issues will be receptive targets for your audiences.” – Ross Marshall, Leading Green
Use the following steps to guide the first several months of starting or resetting a sustainability program.
