What do you do if sustainability leaders and influencers are out of reach?

You want to learn from the best in sustainability, but they seem too busy, too far, or too exclusive. How can you connect with them and benefit from their insights and experience? Here are some tips to help you network and build professional relationships with sustainability leaders and influencers, even if they are out of reach.

1 Find your niche

The first step is to identify your specific area of interest and expertise in sustainability. What are you passionate about? What are your goals and challenges? What are the current trends and issues in your field? By narrowing down your focus, you can better target the people who share your vision and values, and who can offer relevant advice and feedback.

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Christofer Fisher

Senior Technical Product Manager | Renewable Energy Thought Leader | Innovator
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The field of sustainability is still very much a young sector that is undergoing rapid development. Defining your key interests in this industry or chasing after what you're most passionate about is essential. Driven professionals are always invested in networking with key collaborators who are share common interests. By finding your niche and remaining committed to becoming an outstanding leader in that field, you can better position yourself within the industry and the leading cohorts of change.

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2 Do your research

Once you have your niche, you need to find out who are the key players and influencers in that domain. Who are the authors, speakers, bloggers, podcasters, researchers, practitioners, or activists that you admire and respect? What are their backgrounds, achievements, projects, and opinions? How do they communicate and engage with their audience? You can use online platforms, such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Medium, or Google Scholar, to search for and follow their profiles, content, and networks.

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Christofer Fisher

Senior Technical Product Manager | Renewable Energy Thought Leader | Innovator
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Events pertaining to sustainability and the environment are becoming more popular in Europe by the day. I would strongly recommend making as many in-person appearances at these shows and networking events as possible, as these grounds tend to harbour a community of like-minded individuals. Thoroughly research all of the events in your area and become a known face at these sessions, and through this you will be able to strengthen your circle of connections.

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3 Reach out with value

The next step is to initiate contact with the people you want to connect with. But don't just send a generic or flattering message. You need to show that you have something valuable to offer, such as a question, a comment, a compliment, a recommendation, a resource, or a collaboration proposal. Make sure your message is personalized, concise, and respectful. Explain who you are, what you do, why you are interested in them, and what you hope to achieve from the interaction.

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Christofer Fisher

Senior Technical Product Manager | Renewable Energy Thought Leader | Innovator
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Nobody likes impersonal messages on websites such as LinkedIn or X. These forms of contact quickly get lost in amongst a sea of like-for-like messages that are constantly attempting to sell you an unwanted product or service. If you're looking to reach out to someone, establish value in your message by being almost frighteningly direct in your messaging. This can be something as simple as "your blog on such a topic, really intrigued me" or "chapter 2 of your book really opened my eyes". You need to establish value in the relationship you're attempting to build and that only comes through engaging, and direct, messages.

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4 Follow up and follow through

After you send your message, don't expect an immediate or positive response. Remember that sustainability leaders and influencers are busy and receive many requests. Be patient and persistent, but not pushy or annoying. If you don't hear back from them within a reasonable time, you can try to follow up with a gentle reminder or a new piece of information. If you do get a response, thank them and express your appreciation. Then, follow through with whatever action or commitment you agreed on, such as scheduling a call, sharing a document, or joining a group.

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5 Build trust and rapport

The final step is to maintain and strengthen the relationship with the people you connected with. You can do this by staying in touch, providing updates, offering support, asking for feedback, giving referrals, or inviting them to events. You can also expand your network by connecting with their contacts or introducing them to yours. The key is to be genuine, respectful, and helpful. Show that you are not just looking for a one-time favor, but for a long-term partnership.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Dave Lütkenhaus

🌎 Global Sustainability & Innovation Director | VP | ESG | Consumer Goods | R&D | Chemicals | Home & Personal Care | Recycling | Packaging | Climate | Sustainable Business | CPG | Circular Economy 🍃
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Innovation and R&D leaders are beacons of progress in achieving net zero emissions and nurturing nature-positive impacts. By championing the integration of carbon reduction, water conservation, and biodiversity preservation into our core business values, fostering robust collaborative networks, embedding net-zero principles deeply within our R&D practices, and deftly navigating commercial realities, we unleash the power of innovation and propel ourselves towards a sustainable future.

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What do you do if sustainability leaders and influencers are out of reach?

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1 Find your niche

2 Do your research

3 Reach out with value

4 Follow up and follow through

5 Build trust and rapport

6 Here’s what else to consider

Sustainability

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What do you do if sustainability leaders and influencers are out of reach?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Find your niche

2 Do your research

3 Reach out with value

4 Follow up and follow through

5 Build trust and rapport

6 Here’s what else to consider

Sustainability

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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