Topic Teasers Vol. 142: Sorting Wicked Sustainability Decisions

Have a question you would like to submit as a potential Topic Teaser? Send a message to Barbee Davis today!

  Organizational Culture   Organizational Project Management   Strategy  

My boss just asked me to head a project to change our product to be more environmentally friendly with regards to carbon emissions, but I don’t think he has thought it through. I agree with his intent, but I don’t think he realizes that his solution will only paint a “prettier face on the box” and may not truly reduce our carbon footprint. Do I say something to him, or do I just stay in my place and do what I’ve been assigned​​​?

A. If his intent is pure, your boss will appreciate your bringing to his attention possible roadblocks to achieving his goal of reducing emissions. Otherwise, it could lead to some very embarrassing publicity down the road.

B. Your boss did not get to where he is by not knowing how to deal with publicity and stockholders. He has assigned you a specific task, and you should do it. Project managers are often not privy to the behind-the-scenes reasons for product changes.

C. Carbon emissions as a global problem are fictitious. Media sources searching for headlines have blown the emissions concern out of proportion, and the changes to your product might not sell as you would hope.

D. Check with your team and see what they think about this issue. As a traditional team, the people who…

Please log in or sign up below to read the rest of the article.