In a world undergoing constant transformation, integrity and sustainability have become essential benchmarks for leaders who want to create real and lasting impact. Andy Szekely, a pioneer in personal development and leadership, shows us that authentic leadership is not measured solely by immediate results, but by how you build people, systems, and values for the future. Through education, passion, and responsibility, Andy Szekely promotes the idea that a sustainable leader inspires positive change, combines profit with care for the environment and community, and leaves a model to follow for future generations.
How do you define the concept of sustainable leadership, and what role does it play in today’s society?
The type of leadership that is based on principles not techniques. Leadership in general is about vision for the furure and influencing communities to pursue that direction. Thats true at all times but in todays society is crucial due to the turbulent years ahead. Sustainable leadership means leading in a way that delivers results today while building people, systems, and values that ensure long-term growth. It’s about creating impact today without exhausting resources or opportunities for the future
In your opinion, what qualities should a leader have in order to inspire lasting change within a community or organization?
I am thinking about 5 qualities : intelligence, energy, integrity, long term perspective and passion for the domain in which thje leader activates. Integrity is actually no 1 because without it the others are do not matter.
How can we transform sustainability from a “trend” into an authentic leadership mindset?
It is a matter of education. in a family the kids can be taught to have asustainability attitude. In a corporation it is the same thing for employees. Society is no different, its just the resources it requires are bigger.
Do you believe Gen Z and Millennials have a different approach to sustainability compared to previous generations?
This is cyclical. There are megatrends in economy and society that lead to economic boom or periods of scarcity. This is what in my opinion generates a different attitude in this regard. So to your question, Yes. But mostly because the periods of economic growth and optimism create a too relaxed view about long ternm consequences and periods of economic distress create an opposite effect – people become more conscious on the scarcity of resourcess and teach they kids about that. Also if we looc at colectivistic versus individualistic approaches, the former is more inclined to be aware of the community and the latter discounts the interest of the communityand focuses on individual interest. Bottom line is that there are megatrends, as discussed by authrs like Ray Dalio or Roy H williams (the Pendulum)
How can personal development education be integrated into sustainability education?
I think this is key because a personally developed person wil natyurally become a leader and will influence and impact big groups of people. Therefore, investing in personal leadership will impact futire generations. It is actually teaching by example.
How can entrepreneurs combine profit with responsibility toward the environment and the community?
This is a false dychotomy in my view. The are natural complementarities. The goose with golden eggs parable explains it very well. The only thing here is being greedy is a force that needs to be conscoiously controlled. Greed is natural for entrepreneurs and be good if it is used to drive social impact, no tthe other way arround. This is where integrity as a quality is extrmely important.
Credit foto: PR
