Biodiversity Builder | I empower you to build a wilder world | Founder of Wildya & Wild Business Mates | Linkedin Top Green Voice
Shell offers YOU the job as their Chief Impact Officer to assist them in their sustainability transition. Would you do it? For a long time, I thought this was a no-brainer question. No. But after seeing a famous infographic circling the past weeks (pic in comments). I realize that the answer is not that easy. So I would like to hear what you think about it. Here a quick exploration into my head. 🌳 Yes - they need to kill their cash cow one day to exist in the future (time is now) - changing a company from within is easier than from outside - if you manage to turn around such a global player, you have a bigger impact than if you start your own business (at least statistically speaking) - It is probably one of the biggest challenges you could have in a career - There are examples of companies that did this before (e.g. Rügenwalder Mühle Carl Müller GmbH & Co. KG, link below) 🛢️ No - it is Shell - internal politics must be hell - they have a history of making the wrong decisions (lying, lobbying, destruction etc.)- so are they really willing to change? - how likely is it that they would kill their cash cow now (they probably squeeze it until the last possible date) - you will be hated by a lot of people, even though you have good intentions - by starting my own thing, I can be in the role of the challenger & show them that another business is possible My final vote: No. I severely doubt that they want to change + I instead build something from scratch to challenge. But enough of me. How would you decide? Yes or no? P.S. What would be your reflection? #climate #shell #impact #career #sustainability
📌 Here an example of how a butcher became a veggie meat producer. The sales of veggie meat surpassed the real meat in 2021 https://www.just-food.com/news/germanys-rugenwalder-muhle-eyes-further-vegetarian-foods-expansion/?cf-view
No. - They have a long history of going back on their climate goals. This year is the most recent period where they've all but disinvested in clean technologies. - The technologies they spend money on don't have long-term market value and are simply used as a nice brand campaign. - They've spread misinformation for years (with little consequences). They continue to do this, even when they hire a Chief Impact Officer. As Al Gore has said, these people have battled against progress at every turn for the last 30+ years. You don't change your morality overnight when you have that track record, even when you 'open up a new position' called Chief Impact Officer. 😂 The time of fossil fuels is over. It's time to change the system, disinvest from fossil fuels, pull subsidies, and pour power and influence into solutions that will save the planet.
No. The only positively impactful direction for them to go is to actively work to move the world away from fossil fuel dependency and use, and aim to shrink then close their business. There's absolutely no indication they are interested in doing this. In relation to such companies more generally, I think the best way to have an impact is to recognise such companies shouldn't exist within the next 20 ish years, envision and build a world that doesn't need them, and try to hasten their demise.
I would add the point that you are might burn yourself out (or severely exhaust yourself in the long-term!) to the list of factors for why you might vote "NO". It is not easy to continuously have to disagree with management and most employees around you, and to have to try to convince them to listen to you and see your perspective (when they are not too inclined to do so). I also think navigating the waters around greenwashing and social washing could be quite difficult in that role — and that might also take a toll on you personally, if you are someone who feels highly responsible for your actions and your broader impact.
If I were a CSO looking for a new job, and if I could make sure I have enough leverage on the operations BUT also on the strategy high in the hierarchy, I'd consider it! (especially you could give yourself 4 years and earn 1'000'000€ in 4 years, so if you realise it is not working, you can use this money for good with a lot of impact after). But just writing these lines, I am not sure... Tough one, Oliver, but great one for engagement on Linkedin ;-) 😉
Lauri Poldre
1y
Oliver Dauert The greatest polluters are corporations.
Michael DeLapa
11mo
Al Gore's TED talk sheds light on Shell's "commitment" to renewables - https://www.ted.com/talks/al_gore_what_the_fossil_fuel_industry_doesn_t_want_you_to_know?language=en
I would ask the question differently: „Where can I achieve the greatest possible impact with my work ? And where can I learn the most to maximize my impact also in the future.“ A great example for this is Julia K. Skupchenko ‘s professional path and determination. What would be your thoughts about this?
Stefan Spaas
1y
If Shell offers me that job, they have changed their strategy quite a bit, so yes ;-)
Biodiversity Builder | I empower you to build a wilder world | Founder of Wildya & Wild Business Mates | Linkedin Top Green Voice
1y📌 Here the famous infographic of Shell