Abstract

Business has recently woken up to the need to address environmental sustainability in a meaningful way. No longer is it sufficient to have an environmental policy or environmental management system – substantial changes to business practice are required. Culture change is widely regarded as the most vital and the most difficult element of this paradigm shift. The standard methods of ‘switch it off’ stickers, awareness presentations and proclamations from the top have proved incapable of delivering the shift in attitudes required. Green Jujitsu is a completely different way of looking at culture change for environmental sustainability. Instead of trying to correct your colleagues’ perceived ‘weaknesses’, it focuses instead on playing to their strengths to get them truly interested and engaged. This principle is applied to the ‘elephant model’ of culture change: providing clear guidance, inspiring people emotionally and altering the working environment. These techniques are illustrated with case studies from the author’s own experience of facilitating culture change on the front line in some of the world’s leading organisations.
Gareth Kane offers a refreshing look at strategies to engage people and embed sustainability within the culture of any organisation. His book is concise and easy to digest, and gets straight to the heart of the matter - it is people that will make this happen therefore understanding the psychology of engaging people through their individual strengths and interests is key. Gareth provides thought-provoking examples of good practice and pitfalls. We have applied some of these practices within our organisation to great effect. This is valuable reading for any organisation embarking on sustainability strategy, and provides a reality check for those for whom sustainability is more established. This book will help you make changes that stick, and become part of your organisation's culture. DR SEAN AXON, Group Sustainability Director, Johnson Matthey PLC Whilst gently poking fun at some of the green clichés that make us cringe, Green Jujitsu is simply structured, straight to the point, and provides practical tools of genuine help. Full of vivid examples, this book guarantees that you will remember not one, but several tips for success – I shall definitely be putting some of Gareth’s ideas into practice at Canon. SURRIE EVERETT-PASCOE, CSR, Environment and Product Safety, Canon