What Every CEO Wishes Sustainability Professionals Knew

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Introduction: Beyond Sustainability — Understanding Business

Sustainability is no longer optional—it's a core reality that every business must address, regardless of where they are on their sustainability journey. Whether a company is leading the charge as a sustainability hero or navigating the delicate balance of managing risks with sustainability issues on their agenda, one thing is clear: sustainability is now affect every aspect of business, from operations to strategy to governance.

This reality places sustainability professionals in a pivotal position, demanding not only expertise in environmental and social impact but also strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills. At the top of the stakeholder priority list? The leadership team—CEOs, CFOs, and other business decision-makers.

To truly drive sustainability into the heart of a business, professionals must understand how these leaders think and make decisions. This means going beyond regulatory knowledge and impact metrics to develop a solid grasp of business fundamentals: value creation, marketing, sales, quality, and business development.

That’s why I’ve curated this list of seven essential books for every sustainability professional aspiring to elevate their impact. These books will help you merge your sustainability expertise with a deep understanding of business strategy, preparing you to speak the language of leadership and drive meaningful change. These are the must-reads for 2025.

1. The Personal MBA: Master the Art of Business by Josh Kaufman

The Personal MBA is the perfect starting point for any sustainability professional looking to bridge the gap between impact expertise and business acumen. As I mentioned earlier, sustainability affects—and is affected by—every part of a business. This book serves as your gateway to understanding the big terms and acronyms that dominate conversations in areas like value creation, marketing, sales, systems design, and decision-making, all presented in a clear and accessible way.

What makes The Personal MBA stand out is its holistic approach: it offers a comprehensive overview of the entire business cycle, giving you the foundation to navigate and engage confidently with business leaders. From there, you can dive deeper into areas where you see the most opportunity to create value or where you feel your knowledge needs further development. This book is your ticket to speaking the language of leadership and driving sustainability with impact and authority.

2. The Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett

The Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett is a deeply personal and insightful journey into what it truly takes to succeed in both business and leadership. Drawing from Bartlett’s experiences as a young entrepreneur and the host of a globally popular podcast, the book combines his hard-earned lessons with wisdom shared by some of the world’s most accomplished leaders. It’s an authentic, no-holds-barred reflection on the challenges and triumphs of leadership.

However, this book goes far beyond traditional business understanding. Bartlett introduces 33 laws spanning self, story, philosophy, and team, offering readers a unique framework for personal and professional growth. These principles are not just about succeeding in business but also about understanding yourself, building meaningful connections, and leading with authenticity and empathy.

As sustainability becomes a central pillar in business strategy, the role of sustainability professionals is rapidly evolving. No longer confined to operational tasks or compliance checks, these teams are now being called upon to lead, influence, and shape the future direction of their organizations. With sustainability teams growing and the field taking a front-row seat in the business world, it’s critical for professionals in this space to rise to the challenge.

Leadership is at the heart of this evolution. Sustainability professionals must not only guide their organizations through complex environmental, social, and governance (ESG) landscapes but also inspire and align teams around a shared vision of growth with impact.

For those aspiring to take on leadership roles, The Diary of a CEO provides invaluable insights into human behavior, motivation, and what it means to truly inspire others. Bartlett offers a fresh perspective on leadership—one rooted in self-awareness and the power of storytelling, making it an essential read for anyone looking to lead with purpose and impact.

3. Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner

Freakonomics is a groundbreaking exploration of the hidden forces that shape human behavior and decision-making, blending economics with storytelling to uncover surprising truths. Written by economist Steven D. Levitt and journalist Stephen J. Dubner, the book delves into unconventional topics and poses provocative questions to reveal how incentives drive actions in often unexpected ways.

At its core, Freakonomics challenges traditional assumptions about the world. Instead of focusing on large-scale economic systems, it looks at micro-level phenomena to demonstrate how data and analysis can reveal fascinating insights. From exploring why crime rates dropped in the 1990s to uncovering the incentives behind cheating in schools, sumo wrestling, and even parenting, the book offers a fresh perspective on how the world works beneath the surface.

One of the key strengths of Freakonomics is its ability to make complex ideas accessible. The authors use compelling anecdotes and real-world data to illustrate economic principles, showing how these ideas can be applied beyond academia. The book invites readers to question conventional wisdom, think critically, and look for patterns in seemingly unrelated aspects of life.

For sustainability professionals, Freakonomics offers valuable lessons in understanding behavior and incentives—critical skills for driving change in organizations and society. Whether it’s designing policies to encourage sustainable practices, influencing consumer behavior, or engaging stakeholders effectively, the book provides a toolkit for identifying and leveraging the incentives that shape outcomes. It’s a must-read for those seeking to think creatively and strategically about solving sustainability challenges.

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4. What They Teach You at Harvard Business School: My Two Years Inside the Cauldron of Capitalism by Philip Delves Broughton

What They Teach You at Harvard Business School is a compelling insider’s account of the world’s most prestigious MBA program, offering a firsthand look into the lessons, challenges, and culture of Harvard Business School (HBS). Written by journalist and HBS graduate Philip Delves Broughton, the book masterfully blends memoir and business analysis, reflecting on both the academic rigor and personal experiences of attending this elite institution.

Broughton takes readers through the rigorous curriculum that defines the HBS experience, delving into essential business topics such as finance, marketing, strategy, and leadership. He provides an engaging description of the famed case study method—a cornerstone of the program—where students tackle real-world business dilemmas to develop critical thinking and sharpen their decision-making skills. Beyond academics, the book highlights what is arguably the most impactful part of the program: the intense networking culture. Broughton offers an inside view of the high-pressure environment, surrounded by ambitious peers competing for top positions in global industries.

What differentiates this book is its thoughtful critique of the HBS approach. While Broughton acknowledges the immense value of the program in teaching analytical frameworks and fostering a competitive edge, he raises important questions about its narrow focus on wealth accumulation and power. He reflects on the potential trade-offs, such as sacrificing personal fulfillment, ethical considerations, or broader societal impact for financial success and career prestige.

For sustainability professionals, What They Teach You at Harvard Business School offers invaluable insights into how influential business leaders are trained to think and operate. Understanding the mindset and priorities of HBS alumni—many of whom hold decision-making roles in corporations and governments—can help sustainability practitioners engage effectively with key stakeholders. Furthermore, the book’s exploration of leadership, strategy, and organizational dynamics provides a practical framework for navigating and driving change within complex systems. It’s a must-read for those seeking to bridge the gap between sustainability expertise and business acumen while fostering impactful leadership.

5. Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek

If you haven’t watched the famous TED Talk by Simon Sinek, now is the time to check it out! In Start With Why, Sinek explores his transformative idea of what separates successful leaders and organizations from the rest: inspiring people not by what you do but by why you do it. This concept, termed "The Golden Circle," emphasizes the importance of starting with purpose—the driving force behind your actions—to achieve lasting success and inspire others.

The book dives into how visionary leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., Steve Jobs, and the Wright Brothers achieved remarkable success by focusing on their why. Rather than merely selling products or ideas, these leaders communicated their beliefs and vision, attracting people who shared their values and fostering loyalty that transcended transactions. Sinek uses compelling examples and practical frameworks to demonstrate how a focus on why sets businesses and individuals apart.

Sinek also examines the decision-making process, highlighting how aligning actions with beliefs enables organizations and individuals to build trust and cultivate stronger relationships with customers, employees, and other stakeholders. This alignment creates a foundation for meaningful connections and long-term success.

For sustainability professionals, starting with the why is a critical approach. Integrating sustainability into business decision-making helps clarify purpose and fosters impactful growth and fulfillment for all stakeholders. By focusing on their why, sustainability leaders can inspire stakeholders, align teams, and build movements rooted in shared values. This makes Start With Why an essential guide for driving change and leading with purpose.

If you’re eager to dive deeper into the why, how, and who in the ESG field, my ESG Masterclass is specifically designed to help you excel in your career and elevate sustainability literacy within your organization. Whether you’re new to the field or looking to inspire transformative change, this course equips you with the tools to align purpose with impact and make a meaningful difference.

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6. The 4 Disciplines of Execution: Achieving Your Wildly Important Goals by Chris McChesney, Sean Covey, and Jim Huling

The 4 Disciplines of Execution (4DX) is a practical guide to turning strategic goals into actionable results. It outlines a proven framework to help individuals and teams build the essential bridge between what needs to be done and what is actually accomplished. The book focuses on overcoming the chaos of daily tasks that often derail progress toward long-term goals. Its execution approach consists of four key disciplines:

1. Focus on the Wildly Important Goals (WIGs): Prioritize a few critical objectives to avoid being overwhelmed and to ensure clarity and alignment.

2. Act on Lead Measures: Identify and track the activities that directly influence the achievement of your goals, rather than relying solely on lagging indicators.

3. Keep a Compelling Scoreboard: Create simple, visual scoreboards to track progress and motivate teams to stay engaged and accountable.

4. Create a Cadence of Accountability: Establish regular check-ins to review progress, address challenges, and celebrate wins, fostering commitment and momentum.

The book includes real-world examples, case studies, and actionable steps that are relevant to organizations of all sizes. It emphasizes the importance of focus, accountability, and consistent effort in achieving measurable results.

For sustainability professionals, the ability to execute and prioritize is non-negotiable. Balancing multiple pressures while ensuring long-term goals are met requires clear strategies that prevent daily work from causing delays. This framework offers a straightforward, actionable approach to setting impactful goals, tracking progress, and maintaining accountability—ensuring sustainability remains central to business strategy and execution.