Coulson-Thomas, Colin (2023) IRL/UNITAR Responsible Leadership book launch: responsible leadership and good governance. In: The IRL/UNITAR Responsible Leadership book launch, January 20th, 2023, The Pavilion, University of Westminster, London.

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Abstract

This talk was given at the UK launch of an edited book on responsible leadership by the author of its chapter on responsible leadership and good governance, suggests a switch of focus from the structure or architecture of governance to corporate conduct and the behaviour of directors. It suggests board decisions should reflect a company’s role within eco-systems and how it affects them, and ensure the sustainable use of natural capital, and that negative externalities of corporate activities must be identified, recognised, reported, addressed and subsequently monitored. As many companies are networks of relationships, where appropriate, governance arrangements should embrace them and supply and value chains, collaborations, public-private partnerships, new business and organisational models, and required collective responses to existential threats. Boards should accept a wider range of responsibilities, including to the environment and future generations.

Abuses of governance, such as corruption, favouritism and nepotism must be rooted out. The rationale, mission and purpose of companies should be reviewed to enable and support more sustainable, resilient and inclusive operations, lifestyles and infrastructures. Rather than just balance contending interests, boards should be more concerned with their alignment. Faced with existential threats, we have an historic opportunity to align interests around a common goal of survival, and the support of required transition and transformation journeys to more sustainable activities and lifestyles. There are multiple paths to more desirable alternatives and lifestyles that could be simpler, healthier and less stressful. To enable quicker adaptation and multiple approaches, general corporate governance guidance and principles covering purpose, conduct, rights, responsibilities and relationships should replace standard and overly-detailed codes and rules.

Item Type:	Conference or Conference Paper (Other)
Additional Information:	The talk was delivered by Colin Coulson-Thomas to introduce his chapter in the 350 page book ‘Responsible Leadership, Essential to the Achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals’ at its UK launch which was held at the University of Westminster on Friday 20th January 2023. Coulson-Thomas, Colin (2023), Responsible Leadership and Good Governance in Saks, Mike (editor), Responsible Leadership: Essential to the Achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, pp 85-101, Abingdon: Routledge. The book is supported by the Institute for Responsible Leadership of which he is an honoured fellow and UNITAR. It is available as a hardback, paperback and e-book. Talk given at the UK launch of the book on responsible leadership by the author of its chapter on responsible leadership and good governance.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	responsible leadership; good governance; environmental sustainability; Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); innovation and change management
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD61 Risk Management
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Business Faculty of Business > Centre for Work and Employment Research (CREW) Faculty of Business > Centre for Work and Employment Research (CREW) > Leadership & Organisational Behaviour Research Group (LOB) Faculty of Business > Department of Systems Management & Strategy
Last Modified:	23 Jan 2023 14:13
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/38470

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