As we emerge from the pandemic, our focus once again turns to saving our planet. One way to encourage sustainability in organisations is through wellbeing challenges. Anna O’Flanagan explains how.
How is your team doing right now? The teams I have spoken with recently seem to be worried about everything, from their own health to the overall wellbeing of our planet. This is all very normal for the times we are in.
Many teams have set up fitness or health and wellbeing challenges, and these have proved highly successful in bonding the team while also promoting physical and mental health.
What if there was a way to develop this team wellness theme further while also benefiting the environment? A team sustainability challenge that combines these complementary goals could fortify your team and give them a sense of empowerment because they are taking control of their mind, body and environment.
Goal of sustainability
Sustainability aims to promote an environment where nature and humans can exist in harmony, as set out in the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This focuses not only on the environment but also on poverty, health, education and housing (and more). Therefore, leaders should take the opportunity to bring the team together (online or in offices as they begin to open) to brainstorm ways to incorporate sustainable practices (personal and environmental) into their everyday lives as part of a challenge. Here are some task ideas:
- Plan and encourage employees to attend sustainability events and courses;
- Cycle to work or to run your errands. It addresses a possible fitness goal while keeping one less car on the road;
- Make a bird feeder for an outdoor space;
- Learn how to compost;
- Plan your meals to reduce food waste;
- Use a reusable coffee cup;
- Plant a tree in your garden; or
- Volunteer in your community.
Once you agree on your priorities as a team, you can then assign points to each activity, give it some timelines, and off you go. Incentives and prizes are always good motivators, so ensure that they are valued by your employees while also maintaining the organisation’s sustainability goals.
This type of challenge will not only give the team a sense of working towards a common purpose, it can also release them from the feeling of powerlessness in the face of climate change and COVID-19 and create sustainable practices in their personal and professional lives. And, it will transport them from their (ever-decreasing) spaces to feel part of something bigger, more communal, and that affects change.
Anna O’Flanagan is the Founder of Red Squirrel.
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