The Sustainable Leader: Small Changes That Make Big Differences

When it comes to sustainability, leaders sometimes feel like the topic is too big or out of their hands. Or, that it can take on more meaning than they intend. Regardless of the views on climate or other political perspectives, there are things all of us can do to take care of our surroundings and the planet we call home. Taking a practical approach to everyday items can not only be beneficial to our planet, it can also be a smart business decision. You don’t have to overhaul your entire operation or launch a major green initiative to make a real difference.

As this article is published on Earth Day 2025, I wanted to share a couple of simple ideas anyone can take action on. When done consistently over time, they’ll make an oversized difference.

Here are three simple ways any leader can build a more sustainable workplace with their team without overwhelming everyone:

1. Optimize Energy Use

Energy savings start with habits. Encourage your team to shut off lights, equipment, and displays when they’re not needed. Where you have control to change light bulbs or your HVAC settings, you can make small shifts to help. Upgrade to LED lighting if you haven’t already done so, and ensure that your heating and cooling systems are running as efficiently as possible.

Even thoughtfully setting thermostats can significantly reduce costs without making people uncomfortable with the temperature. If you can use a schedule for your HVAC system, you can turn the lights off at night and adjust the temperature settings to minimize energy usage.

2. Reduce Waste

One of the easiest ways to make a workplace more sustainable is by cutting down on waste. Look at where you can swap out disposable items for reusable ones. Encourage recycling programs that are easy for the team to follow and implement. Which supplies could be used differently to extend their lifespan or serve multiple purposes? This is an area where you can have some fun with your team and ask for their ideas. Maybe it becomes a contest that everyone can participate in.

When selecting supplies for your business (or at home), choose durable products over cheap, disposable ones. This is often a great way to save costs in the long run. We have all experienced the difference between something that is really cheap (both price and quality) and something that seems to last forever. We all want to manage expenses. Sometimes the best way to do that is to spend a little more upfront and save on replacement costs over time. You also end up throwing less away, reducing waste in multiple ways.

3. Conserve Water

Water conservation is often overlooked, but taking small steps can have a significant impact in this area as well. Water is still a precious resource, regardless of where you live or the weather. Check all the faucets and other water sources to ensure there are no leaks. Small water leaks can become big problems later, even if it doesn’t seem like it will. Water has a way of making big messes from simple problems. I have always found water to be one of the most inconspicuous destruction devices around. Water creates real damage (I may be speaking from experience). 

Small leaks in areas that are easy to overlook also create extra costs. That slow drip from a faucet in the bathroom is easy to walk by or forget about because we don’t see it all the time. Or, and I’ve seen this dozens of times in my career, it’s easy to forget that the faucet in the mop closet at the back of a store has been leaking for months. Getting that fixed may end up saving hundreds of dollars in water utility costs each year just by getting it repaired.

Small Choices, Big Results

Leaders don’t need to control everything to make a lasting impact. In many retail businesses, you don’t have all the controls or ability to make every decision. But you can still make a difference. By focusing on what you can control around energy, waste, and water use, you create a workplace that’s more efficient, more resilient, and more responsible. Smart, sustainable choices pay off over time. They reduce expenses, protect resources, and show your team and customers that you’re thinking about the future.

What steps are you taking to think more about sustainability for your business and the planet?

Photo by Greg Rosenke on Unsplash

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