Why Sustainable? an existential question

Yesterday I sat in a discussion over a subject I am passionate about - living our lives sustainably. The context, however, is business. What it meant to the business in question at this stage in its maturity is "survival". It's immediate concern is keeping lights on, keeping its license to operate, making enough to get to the next quarter, pleasing the stakeholders. I understood, despite feeling a little frustrated that this plantling is still struggling to take root in a competitive and challenging environment, no matter how hard we nurtured, fussed, fretted and loved it over the past three years. I wanted so much for it to grow strong and with the right values, equipped with the wherewithal to enable it to be accepted into society's arms readily. To be the shining star I knew it could be. Then, I heard a quip from another director - "this sustainability stuff is just the fuzzy optionals - I don't really care too much what goes into your Sustainability Report, I just want to see the figures show the right direction." Why Sustainable? Just make tons of money, and you will live forever. If this is your understanding of what being sustainable means - living forever - I expect money and plenty of it, will give you that option. Unless, being sustainable means more than yourself. Unless you believe that being sustainable informs living a meaningful existence extending beyond yourself. To be of service to others and the planet, for the good of the present and the future. A corporate leader's raison d'etre is sustainable value creation . To me, that means managing for purpose-led, profitable growth.
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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