Implementing a Going Green Project When You’re Not In Charge

In the past, I wrote a series of five blog posts that looked at how to get a green (aka environmental sustainability) project approved at work when you’re not in charge.

Because I received some great feedback about those posts, and also some follow-up questions, I am briefly revisiting each of the five steps so that you can have an overview at your fingertips, then delve deeper into each as needed.

A caveat before continuing: These are not the only ways to get an impact project implemented at work – but these are ways that I have seen have worked for my clients in the last 13+ years that I have been supporting organizations with environmental sustainability and going green.

1. Grow your reputation at work: First and foremost, it’s important for you to show that you are doing your job well – the job you signed up to do when you agreed to work with the organization you are with. This will grow your reputation, so that your boss and your colleagues are more likely to listen when you suggest a project that is not in your job description. Check out the blog for 9 ways to do this.

2. Align with your boss’ goals: You want to look at what your direct manager and your organization’s short and long term goals are. Many of these can be found in the strategic plan – that is a great place to start. From there, you can drill down and think about how some of those goals apply to your boss and to your department (if you work in a department). Doing this will enable you to then look at going green projects that are aligned with those goals, and therefore are more likely to be considered by your boss. Here are 4 ways to align with those goals.

3. Solve your boss’ problems: Another way to support your boss and build a trusting relationship is to show that you are able to address issues that arise. These are issues within the context of your work, of course, but they are also issues that your boss may be dealing with or that may pop up down the road. Think about what these might be, and brainstorm ways that you may be able to address them. Here are 5 ways you could do this.

4. Pitch your project: If you have done the above, you more than likely have built up a relationship with your direct manager such that she/he will be more willing to listen to and consider your project idea. Plan your pitch and get ready to present it at the right time and place to her/him. Here are 5 steps to pitching your project that will increase the likelihood of it being considered and approved. 

5. Tell the story of your project: When you are looking at pitching your project – or just sharing the project with colleagues – you will want to have a clear picture of what the project is, why it’s important for the organization and/or for that individuals, and what you see as the positive outcome of taking action. Basically, you will want to tell the story of your project in such a way as to encourage others to support it, using the Made to Stick SUCCES model.

If you have taken all of these steps and/or are wondering what else you can do, be sure to download our FREE ’51 Ways To Make An Impact When Not In Charge’, which will help you position yourself to implement an impact project, and get started on some of these today!