“There is no question that this is the most critical time in human history and what we do or don’t do will make the difference as to whether we evolve or perish. Steve Schein is one of those people whose passion and commitment corresponds to the necessary turnings of our time. With warmth and originality, he shows us how we are the pilgrims and the parents of this emerging new era and how old formulas and stopgap solutions will no longer serve. His science with regard to sustainability is impeccable, his insights into the changing face of business management and philosophy are powerful and truth-telling. His deep exploration of the psyche and substance of 75 corporate executives provides the basis for hope in transforming leadership and thereby, in the words of the ancient myths, finding new ways of “greening” the waste land.”
—Dr Jean Houston, author of 28 books on human and social development; Consultant on Human Development to the United Nations Development Programme
“Thought-provoking and insightful, A New Psychology for Sustainability Leadership is of vital importance to the New Nature Movement.”
—Richard Louv, author, The Nature Principle and Last Child in the Woods
“Steve Schein has provided a great service to the study and practice of sustainability management with this work. He has considered the psychological drivers – the why – and the leadership capacities – the how – that drive sustainability leaders. As a Collaborator- In-Chief myself, I found Schein’s analysis enlightening. I have a greater grasp on the why and the how of my role and can thereby be more a more effective leader. I highly recommend this very readable book.”
—Chris Librie, Senior Director, Living Progress, Hewlett-Packard
“This book is one of the first to look at the personal motivation of sustainability professionals. It examines what Schein calls their ecological worldview, which Senge and others have referred to as the mental models that shape the way people think and act. Drawing on eco-psychology, environmental philosophy and related disciplines, including integral theory, Schein attempts to categorize various stages of consciousness about who we are and the world we live in. Schein’s interviews of executives help to uncover a pattern in the evolution of thinking from anthropocentric to ecocentric. He rightly points out that seeing such a pattern, and shifting to an ecocentric worldview, will be critical for business if it is to produce meaningful sustainability outcomes.”
—Dr Chris Laszlo, Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University; co-author, Embedded Sustainability
“I’ve been waiting for a book like this for over ten years! One of the most crucial things missing in nearly all sustainability discussions is an understanding of how to foster the growth of ecological worldviews. Schein redresses this through his study of the most advanced forms of sustainability leadership. In the process, he makes a powerful case that such an approach is essential to the future of sustainability leadership.”
—Sean Esbjörn-Hargens, co-author, Integral Ecology; Founder and President, MetaIntegral Associates
“In this refreshingly readable book, Steve Schein develops the basis for a psychology of successful sustainability leadership by engaging us with his own story of growing awareness of his direct interdependence with the environment, as well as with stories of the 75 corporate executives he interviewed.”
—Bill Torbert, PhD, author of Action Inquiry: The Secret of Timely and Transforming Leadership
“Although academic in format, this book feels like a dinner party conversation that lasts late into an evening because it is so compelling. Evolving our core consciousness is an important quest for us and for our children and grandchildren. More immediately, besides business curriculum, this book has deep implications for HR, hiring and executive succession planning.”
—Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, President and CEO, Goodwill Industries of Northern New England
“By offering a fascinating new perspective about the psychology of sustainability leadership, this book opens an entirely new type of conversation. It should be required reading for corporate executives, management educators and business students everywhere.”
—Joel Makower, Chairman and Executive Editor, GreenBiz Group
“In this deeply thoughtful book, Steven Schein illuminates our many “ways of thinking” about sustainability. He shows how some of these mental maps allow us more motivation, more commitment, and more degrees of freedom to address challenges to our very survival than others. Marrying insights from psychology with an exploration of the thoughts and experiences of corporate sustainability leaders, Schein not only helps us identify the journey that is required of us all, but he provides the roadmap for our travels.”
—Mary C. Gentile, PhD, Harvard Business School; Babson College; author of Giving Voice to Values: How to Speak Your Mind When You Know What’s Right
“Much has been written and said recently about the importance of sustainability, but Steve Schein’s book is particularly valuable. He identifies specific attributes of how effective leaders think, and what they are doing to make a difference. If you’re looking for insights about how to move from good intentions about sustainability to effective action, this book offers real insights.”
—Dr Keith Melville, PhD, The Kettering Foundation, Fielding Graduate University
“Pursuing the frontiers of sustainability requires transformational change—in society, our organizations and the individuals that lead them. By focusing on the psychological dimension of sustainability leadership, Schein’s book fills a vital gap in the change-makers’ toolkit. Given the scale and urgency of our global challenges, we desperately need bold action from our leaders. With a skilful mix of personal narrative, theoretical insights and fresh research, Schein helps us better understand what drives sustainability leaders—and what we need to do to turn the trickle of change into a flood.”
—Dr Wayne Visser, University of Cambridge, Founder and CEO, Kaleidoscope; author, Sustainable Frontiers
“Helping people and organizations understand their relationship to, and dependence on, nature is critical to creating the lasting change and sustainable future we all want. In A New Psychology for Sustainability Leadership Steve Schein explores the important psychological connection people have to nature in hopes of sparking new conversations and research around corporate sustainability leadership.”
—Josh Henretig, Senior Director Energy, Environment and Cities, Microsoft Corporation
“I have read hundreds of books on sustainability and written one. But this book is different from anything I have seen. Steve Schein writes from his heart with so much authenticity and conviction that I read the whole manuscript in one sitting. Absolutely unputdownable, full of practical ideas, ancient wisdom, and the latest theories and research: an all-in-one treat for anyone seriously thinking of a making a difference.”
—Tojo Thatchenkery, PhD, George Mason University; co-author, Appreciative Intelligence: Seeing the Mighty Oak in the Acorn
“This book is a tour de force, beautifully charting a path to planet- changing leadership. If you want to deepen your impact and cultivate the capacity to lead transformational change, Schein’s done the research. He guides you through the science of a stunning new psychology that can lead us out of the labyrinth and into a future we all want. This book and the worldview it heralds will deeply unlock potential for any change agent working toward a flourishing world.”
—Barrett C. Brown, PhD, Co-Founder, MetaIntegral Academy; author, The Future of Leadership for Conscious Capitalism
“At a time when the revenues of some companies dwarf the GDP of nation-states, and supply chains are interwoven throughout the world, corporate responsibility has never been more important as a powerful force for our continued prosperity. Until now, no one has explored the psyche that motivates corporate leaders to protect people and the planet. Understanding these motives may very well be the key to unlocking a sustainable future for us all.”
—Tim Mohin, Director of Corporate Responsibility, Advanced Micro Devices; author, Changing Business from the Inside Out: A Treehugger’s Guide to Working in Corporations
“As the planet teeters on the edge of climate thresholds, CEOs demanding action have been sorely lacking. In this context, Schein asks: “What sets business leaders on fire about sustainability? And how can we spread that fire?” Our future might well hinge on the answers.”
—Auden Schendler, Vice President of Sustainability, Aspen Skiing Company; author of Getting Green Done: Hard Truths from the Frontlines of the Sustainability Revolution
“With the information overload that characterizes modern society, rare is the book that stands out from the rest. This one is it. Rather than give us the usual outline of all the problems involving why human societies are not sustainable followed by the same, tired prescriptions of what we need to change, this work presents new ideas with a twist. To create change, we simply first need to be awake—in the fullest sense of that term. Second, we need to understand self and use self as the instrument for radical change. Refreshing, provocative and inspiring in turns, this book should be on every bookshelf and E-reader in the country.”
—Katrina S. Rogers, President, Fielding Graduate University
“In exploring the deeper psychological motivations of corporate sustainability leaders, Steve Schein opens an exciting door through which so many of us will eagerly step. His ground-breaking work rightly deserves the attention of all those working towards more meaningful forms of corporate social responsibility.”
—Donnie Maclurcan, PhD, FRSA, Executive Director, Post Growth Institute; author of Nanotechnology for Global Sustainability
“This easy-to-read book unveils a number of deeply held assumptions held by corporate leaders whose organizations maintain ecological sustainability priorities. Knowing them might help others create a “new” management psychology that will at long last consider the seventh generation.”
—Four Arrows, aka D.T. Jacobs, PhD, EdD, co-author of Differing Worldviews in Higher Education
“Steve Schein has gotten great feedback from some powerful executives and proposes a new way of looking at sustainability in this book. If your career path is taking you in the direction of CSR or any role in the sustainability movement, I heartily recommend it as a must for your library.”
—John Renesch, US futurist; author of The Conscious Organization and Conscious Leadership; founder, FutureShapers
“Brilliant. Schein’s work provides a look into a gaping hole in the sustainability literature. His research reveals the essence of sustainability leadership (and human behaviour in general): how we see the world informs how we think, understand and act. This engaging and provocative book examines the psychological underpinnings of an ecological worldview and leads the reader to a new understanding of sustainability leadership.”
—Mary A. Ferdig, PhD, President and CEO, Sustainability Leadership Institute
“Along with technological innovation, harnessing market forces and transparency in the supply chain, there is an inner landscape of values and mental maps that guide behaviour in would-be green businesses and organizations. In A New Psychology for Sustainability Leadership, Steve Schein helps to reveal the important and often overlooked “ecology of mind” that distinguishes effective sustainability leadership and performance. I highly recommend it.”
—Thomas Doherty, PsyD, Founding-Editor, Ecopsychology Journal; Past President, Society of Environmental, Population and Conservation Psychology
“Confronting sustainability is about grappling with complexity in our social as well as natural environments. This book explores how leaders who surround themselves with that complexity end up rising to the challenge by growing their own cognitive and emotional complexity. While this central insight is an important intellectual contribution, the value of this book is its weaving of personal reflection and narrative with the journey of the research.”
—Jason Jay, PhD, Senior Lecturer and Director, Sustainability Initiative, MIT Sloan
“In this well-researched book, Schein shines a light on a poorly considered yet key aspect of sustainability leaders: the worldviews shaping their actions. The good news is that we have available the greatest tools for this task, and they are in the hidden power of the ecological worldview. Something to relearn that can mean the difference between our civilization’s breakdown and breakthrough. And it’s at our fingertips.”
—Isabel Rimanoczy, Scholar in Residence at Nova Southeastern University; author of Big Bang Being
“Schein has written a compelling book that helps us understand the values and motivators that drive sustainability leaders. He has not only provided a framework for building leaders who can drive sustainability in the corporate world, but for awakening each of our ecological selves so that we understand our part in sustainability. What I find even more enthralling is that Schein writes as if he was sitting by a campfire, telling a story. An enlightening book which I highly recommend.”
—Richmond S. Fourmy, PsyD, Associate Partner, Aon Hewitt
“Schein promotes the message that continued evolution of thought and human development requires enhanced awareness of self, others and the environment in which we operate. This awareness is captured in the concept of ecological self. He emphasizes
the opportunity to further develop current and future leaders of global organizations to make more complex, humane and eco-sensitive decisions that embrace a new psychology of sustainability leadership.”
—John Bowling, PhD, Managing Partner, Sustainable Leadership Consultants
“Readers will sail through this easy-to-understand, well-written and timely book on the complex and important subject of worldview among current and future corporate leadership for sustainability.”
—Kerul Kassel, PhD, author, The Thinking Executive’s Guide to Sustainability
“Steve Schein is the rare individual who can take on the dual perspective of manager and scholar to develop innovative yet practical lessons for business professionals.”
—Elliot Maltz, PhD, Professor, Atkinson Graduate School of Management, Willamette University
“This book provides hope and inspiration to those of us worried that we are not getting the sustainability leadership we need. Schein provides sophisticated insight into the psychological evolution that must take place within the corporate world and evidence that it is happening amongst the leading edge of corporate sustainability leaders. Drawing on an immense interdisciplinary literature, his direct experience in the corporate world, his more recent teaching experiences, his ecological self, and dozens of interviews with corporate leaders, Schein has produced a book that should find its way onto course syllabi at business schools, environmental studies and boardrooms.”
—Paul Haber, PhD, Professor of Political Science, University of Montana
“Just as corporations must make changes in their cultures, corporate leaders must make changes in their thinking. This book offers a fresh perspective and offers new insights about how companies can advance and improve their efforts to become more sustainable.”
—Andrew Savitz, author, The Triple Bottom Line