When it comes to making your company more sustainable, building a green team is a powerful way to drive change. However, building a green team is easier said than done; after all, teams are inherently dysfunctional.

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Let's explore how to recruit the right people for your green team, empower them with decision-making space, and create an environment of psychological safety to ensure your team thrives. We'll sprinkle some extra tips at the end too, so it stays fresh!

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1. Recruiting Passionate People: It’s Not Just About the Leaders

When forming a green team, it's easy to think you need the top brass to lead the charge. While having leadership on board is important, don't overlook the power of passionate employees who are genuinely invested in sustainability. They are the ones who will bring enthusiasm, creativity and intrinsic motivation to the table.

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Mistake: Focusing Solely on Key Decision-Makers

The biggest mistake companies make is focusing too much on recruiting high-level decision-makers. While their support is vital, real change often comes from those who are intrinsically motivated by the mission. In fact, change usually happens at the fringes, with the passionate few driving the movement forward.

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Solution: Engage the Passionate First

• Identify Enthusiasts: Look for employees who are already interested in sustainability. These are your early adopters who will drive change from the ground up.
• Leverage Passion: Passionate individuals are more likely to inspire others and create a ripple effect, attracting more people to join the cause.
• Create a Social Tipping Point: By focusing on the 25% who are genuinely committed, you'll reach a critical mass that encourages others to follow suit.

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Remember: You don't need everyone on board from the start. It's more effective to engage those who are already keen, letting their enthusiasm influence others over time. As noted by Dr Kris De Mayer, action truly drives action. Empower your team to take meaningful steps, and watch as their efforts inspire others within and beyond your organisation.

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2. Empowering Your Team: Creating Decision-Making Space

So, you’ve gathered a passionate team. Now what? You need to empower them to make decisions and take action without it being just another token initiative. Too often, green teams become a symbolic gesture rather than a force for real change.

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Mistake: Tokenistic Green Champions

Like getting a ‘golden star’ at school, avoid making your green team a cringe badge of honour. Empower them to make decisions and experiment with new ideas, or you'll end up stifling creativity and progress.

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Solution: Define Decision-Making Space

• Give Autonomy: Empower your team by defining what decisions they can make independently. Make it clear where they have the freedom to act without constantly checking in.
• Set Boundaries: While autonomy is essential, establish clear guidelines on when they need to consult with leadership. This balance prevents chaos while encouraging innovation.
• Encourage Experimentation: Foster an environment where team members feel comfortable trying new ideas and learning from failures.

Inspired by: The concept of decision-making space comes from Stanley McChrystal's work in Team of Teams. Providing clear decision-making boundaries helps teams act swiftly and effectively without getting bogged down in bureaucracy.

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3. Fostering Psychological Safety: Encourage Open Dialogue

A successful green team thrives in an environment where members feel safe to speak up, challenge ideas, and express themselves without fear of judgement or reprisal. This is where psychological safety comes into play.

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Mistake: Overlooking Psychological Safety

People often make the mistake of thinking psychological safety is just about being nice to each other. In reality, it has very little to do with being nice and everything to do with being candid. Without a safe space for open dialogue, your team will struggle to innovate or bring forth new ideas. Fear of making mistakes can lead to stagnation and missed opportunities for positive change; as well as high levels of anxiety and a sense of urgency, which doesn’t breed innovation.

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Solution: Cultivate Psychological Safety

• Encourage Open Discussion: Make sure everyone feels their voice is heard and valued. Promote an inclusive atmosphere where diverse opinions are welcomed.
• Normalise Failure: Emphasise that mistakes are part of the learning process. Encourage the team to take risks and learn from any missteps.
• Provide Support: Offer guidance and mentorship to help team members develop confidence and trust in each other.

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Research Insight: Google’s Project Aristotle found that psychological safety is a crucial factor in high-performing teams. By fostering an environment where team members feel safe to speak up, you’ll unleash creativity and drive meaningful innovation.

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Additional Tips for Building an Effective Green Team

1. Regular Meetings: Hold consistent meetings to keep momentum going and ensure everyone is aligned with the mission.
2. Celebrate Successes: Acknowledge achievements, no matter how small. Recognition boosts morale and keeps the team motivated.
3. Training and Development: Offer workshops and training to enhance the skills of your green team members.
4. Set Clear Goals: Establish measurable goals to track progress and celebrate milestones along the way.
5. Communicate Impact: Share stories of success within and outside the company to inspire others and showcase the positive impact of your green initiatives.

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Final Thoughts

Building a green team is an exciting journey that requires the right mix of passion, empowerment, and support. By avoiding common pitfalls and embracing a proactive approach, you can create a team that drives real change and inspires others to join the sustainability movement.

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Curious about creating psychological safety?

Check out our workshops on creating psychological safety within your team or request a taster workshop for your team.

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Want to see us in action? Check out our video on how we engaged employees at a BT launch event using our Sustainable Pathways game workshop.

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