In the first installment of  the “Creating an Impact” series, Courtney Lohmann, an award-winning leader, CSR and sustainability expert and the founder of Courtney Lohmann Consulting, defines impact leadership, explores its three core principles, and examines how strategy enhances your environmental and social sustainability goals.

In today’s fast-paced world, the concept of “impact” has become a cornerstone for individuals and organizations striving to make a difference. It’s now widely accepted as a key element in sustainability and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) work. Defining impact means understanding how our actions influence others and the world around us. It involves uncovering our passion, aligning it with our goals, committing to create change, and having the ability to implement and transform.

How do we do this? Strategy.

Strategy is often the missing link that connects our passion to impactful work. It’s the crucial element that holds a successful ESG plan together and represents the leadership we embrace when we integrate a solid strategy.

In impact work, we break down this strategy into three key components that I call the three Ps: Passion, Perseverance, and Performance.

Passion

To ignite more impact, it is crucial to start with a clear vision of what you want to achieve. And at the heart of any achievable goal, there must be passion. Define what that is for you, what means the most to you. Ask yourself: What is the problem I must solve above all others? Is it rooted in social change, environmental issues, or personal growth? Or perhaps it focuses on business ethics. Is it about human rights issues?  There are several paths you can follow. As you start down the road of discovery, you may find times when these individual items intersect. If that happens, you can potentially blend them together, as long as you are passionate about the issues.

Perseverance

Once you’ve established your passion and vision, the next step is perseverance. This is where you’ll face challenges, naysayers, and roadblocks. Your clear understanding of your passion and vision will guide you through. Here, you expand your community, engaging stakeholders who can help bring your vision to life. Use this time to navigate the challenges and devise a strategy for making the most impact. Create a detailed plan for implementation, considering how it will affect each department within your organization or impact your clients and stakeholders. Plan for their questions and concerns, placing each individual at the center of your impact plan. Their engagement is crucial to your leadership and success. Stay committed, as this step can be challenging. Your dedication will help you move forward.

Performance

Successful initiatives require a strategic approach. You might have heard people talk about their “passion projects” but we rarely hear how those projects come to fruition because many lack a strategy. Performance is the final and crucial step. It’s when you launch your impact project and implement it. As business leaders, we must continuously innovate and create. Your impact project should be part of this innovation plan. It’s not just about growth but how you release and manage it. Include timelines, performance markers, training, stakeholder engagement strategies, and success metrics. Metrics are critical in the impact space, providing the feedback needed for ongoing growth and meaningful change.

As you embark on this journey, remember that defining impact involves a deep understanding of your vision, passion, and purpose, along with a plan to execute it. Aligning your commitments with your goals allows you to create a strategic approach to making a difference. Impact is not a one-time event or a solo endeavor; it’s a continuous journey of growth and transformation, requiring transparency, organizational understanding, and a collective effort.

Courtney Lohmann, CMP, is an award-winning leader, CSR and sustainability expert and sought-after thought leader/keynote speaker.  She founded Courtney Lohmann Consulting, a consultancy that has pioneered a novel approach to understanding and implementing sustainability strategies.