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What is regenerative leadership?
Regenerative leadership is a holistic leadership approach that views the organization as a living ecosystem. The focus is on rebuilding and improving systems in ways that create value for employees, the organization, society and the environment. Well-being, motivation and sustainability are key guiding principles, and the goal is not just to preserve but actively regenerate and strengthen all links in the value chain
From sustainability to regenerative growth
Most people are now familiar with the concept of sustainability – it’s about taking care of the planet, consuming less and avoiding harm. Regenerative leadership takes it a step further. Instead of merely “doing less harm,” the goal is to do good. Imagine an organization that doesn’t just avoid burning out its employees but actually gives them energy and meaning in their daily work. Or a company that not only reduces its environmental impact but actively contributes to restoring nature by planting forests, purifying water or supporting biodiversity.
Regenerative leadership is about making a positive difference – for both people and the planet. It’s about asking:
“How can we, as a company, actively contribute to development and well-being – not just avoid harm or put out fires?”
This might be an organization that doesn’t just prevent stress and promote well-being as a necessity but designs the workplace so that employees truly flourish, grow and gain energy from their work.
A focus on systems thinking – everything is connected
The company is not an isolated island separate from the world around it. In regenerative leadership, the organization is seen as part of a larger system where everything is interconnected. Just like in nature, where a forest can only thrive if the soil, water, animals and plants are in balance.
Leaders think systemically. They consider how decisions affect not only finances but also employees, customers, partners and the environment.
Example: If working hours are changed in one department to optimize production, it might put pressure on employees, worsen the work environment and result in increased sick leave. Systems thinking means not just focusing on short-term profit but considering long-term consequences: What will this decision mean for well-being, collaboration and the planet – five years from now?
In short, it’s about seeing the whole picture and understanding how all parts of an organization affect each other. And when leaders act with that in mind, they can make decisions that strengthen the entire system rather than deplete it.
Why is regenerative leadership important?
Regenerative leadership matters because it offers a more sustainable and long-term path for organizations. Instead of chasing quick wins and short-term financial gains, the focus is on creating real value for everyone involved – employees, society and the environment. It is a holistic approach that doesn’t just minimize harm but actively works to rebuild and strengthen the systems the organization is part of. Well-being, meaning and responsibility are not add-ons but integrated into the way leadership is practiced.
- Diversity and self-organization
In nature, uniform ecosystems rarely survive for long. It is diversity – the variety of species and functions – that brings strength, adaptability and vitality. The same is true for organizations. When employees bring different perspectives, backgrounds and ways of thinking, the team becomes more resilient and better equipped to navigate change.
Learn more about how to lead with a focus on difference in practice: Leading neurodivergent employees
Diversity is not just a matter of representation. It is a prerequisite for innovation. When people think differently, new ideas emerge, better solutions are developed, and blind spots are reduced. And this isn’t just theory. A major study from McKinsey shows that companies with high levels of diversity in both leadership and staff consistently outperform their more homogeneous competitors financially.
In regenerative organizations, diversity and self-organization go hand in hand. When different skills are allowed to unfold, and when employees have the freedom to take initiative and shape their work, the organization becomes vibrant and dynamic. People actively contribute to development because they feel a sense of ownership, responsibility and purpose in what they do.
Read more on diversity in teams here: Diversity and inclusion as key drivers of business success
- Recharging as a natural part of work
Just like nature moves between activity and rest, people need rhythm in their working lives. We cannot perform constantly without paying a price. That is why we need breaks, time to think, and moments where we are not expected to deliver but simply to be. When this is overlooked, imbalance arises, often leading to burnout, stress and lower engagement.
Regenerative leadership acknowledges that energy is not an infinite resource. It becomes a leadership responsibility to create working environments where rest and presence are a natural part of the everyday. This might involve holding walking meetings to activate the body and free the mind. It could also mean allowing a few minutes of silence for reflection at the start or end of a team meeting to foster clarity and calm.
- When words become culture
This is about creating sustainability in practice – not just as bold statements in a strategy, but as concrete everyday actions. It means thinking of sustainability both externally and internally.
External sustainability refers to how the company affects the world around it, for example by taking responsibility for climate, society and resources.
Internal sustainability refers to how people are doing within the workplace, including well-being, psychological safety, collaboration and joy at work.
Regenerative leadership integrates the two: The organization creates results in a way that also strengthens people and contributes positively to the world beyond. This might mean ensuring that teams have both goals and a sense of meaning, or that leaders are selected not only for delivering numbers, but for their ability to see and support their people. When both humans and the surrounding environment are seen as something the company is responsible for – and not merely means to an end – sustainability becomes a culture rather than a project.
Want to read more about how to strengthen psychological safety in your organization? Read about psychological safety here.
Put regenerative leadership into practice
Regenerative leadership does not have to be something reserved for strategy days or leadership manuals. It can begin in the small things—in how we run meetings, give feedback or organise everyday work together.
Here are some concrete ideas for how you can bring regenerative thinking into action. It is not about doing everything at once. It is about taking small steps that bring life to people, relationships and workplace culture.
Learn more about how to become a good relational leader here.
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