On November 20th, I had the pleasure of attending the presentation of the book 85 Voices for Leadership, a compilation of 85 articles written by various personalities from different sectors of Portuguese society, under the aegis of ISCTE Executive Education. As I finished reading, I wondered about the different leadership styles discussed and how they relate to the challenges we face today. Among them, one concept stood out: regenerative leadership.
We live in a time when leaders are called upon to go beyond the traditional meeting of targets or the simple management of resources. Global changes – be they climatic, social or economic – call for leaders capable of leaving a positive and lasting impact. In this context, exploring leadership styles becomes essential, with regenerative leadership being a particularly relevant model.
Different Leadership Styles
Over the years, different approaches to leadership have been developed, each with its own merits and limitations. Here are some common examples:
- Autocratic Leadership – A command and control approach, effective in crises but often limiting the creativity and autonomy of teams.
- Transformational Leadership – Inspiring and focused on change, it stands out for creating a long-term vision, but it depends a lot on the leader’s emotional abilities.
- Servant Leadership – Puts the well-being of the team at the center, promoting collaboration, although it can be challenging in high-pressure contexts.
- Democratic Leadership – Based on inclusion, it encourages participation and shared decision-making, but can be slower in situations that require agility.
Among these approaches, regenerative leadership stands out for going beyond the immediate, proposing a model that balances economic results, social impact and environmental sustainability.
What is Regenerative Leadership?
Regenerative leadership is not just about avoiding negative impacts or being sustainable. It goes further, proposing to create systems and cultures that promote regeneration and growth, on a human, organizational and environmental level.
Imagine a leadership that functions like an ecosystem: instead of continuously extracting value and depleting resources, it is concerned with replenishing, restoring and improving the systems on which it depends. It’s a holistic model, which sees the organization as part of something bigger – an interconnected system that encompasses communities, markets and the natural environment.
The Pillars of Regenerative Leadership
This model is based on three main pillars:
- Sustainability and Responsibility
Regenerative leaders are committed to leaving something better than they found it. Whether through reducing waste, caring for people or initiatives to support communities, their decisions reflect a long-term responsibility. - Systems Thinking
Instead of looking at each challenge in isolation, regenerative leadership considers the connections between different parts of the system. Questions such as “How does this decision impact our suppliers?” or “What effect will this have on the local community?” become an integral part of the decision-making process. - Resilience and Adaptation
Uncertainty and change are inevitable. Regenerative leadership therefore focuses on creating teams and systems capable of adapting, innovating and thriving, even in difficult times.
The Relevance of Regenerative Leadership Today
In a world where ethical, social and environmental demands are ever greater, regenerative leadership has emerged as a response to these pressures. It’s not just about “doing good” as a company, but recognizing that responsible and regenerative practices are fundamental to guaranteeing long-term success.
Regenerative leaders not only attract talent and create healthier organizational cultures, but also strengthen the trust of customers and partners. In the Portuguese context, where there is a growing appreciation for ethical and responsible business, this model is more relevant than ever.
How to Implement Regenerative Leadership?
Adopting this model requires a change in mentality and specific practices. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Define a Clear Purpose
The decisions of a regenerative leader are guided by a higher purpose. This purpose must be aligned with the organizational values and widely communicated to the team. - Foster Psychological Safety
Create an environment where people feel free to experiment, make mistakes and learn. Innovation flourishes when employees feel that their ideas are valued. - Integrate Sustainability into Strategy
Include social and environmental metrics as part of the evaluation of organizational performance. Positive impact should be as important as profits. - Promote Collaboration and Dialogue
Inspire your team to think systemically by promoting discussions about the long-term impact of their decisions. - Inspire Others to Lead Regeneratively
Share examples of success, create partnerships with other organizations and promote an open dialogue about the positive impact of regeneration.
Leave a Regenerative Legacy
In the end, regenerative leadership is more than an approach; it’s a commitment to the future. As lessons from 85 Voices for Leadership demonstrate, leaders who adopt this model don’t just transform companies – they transform communities and leave an impact that lasts.
What will you do? What legacy do you want to leave as a leader? Maybe it’s time to embrace regeneration as part of your journey.