Finding you : Lessons on Sustainability from a Netflix romcom

As the world battled over Barbenheimer, I stumbled upon a hidden gem on Netflix: Finding You.

The 2021 movie based on the book ‘There You'll Find Me’ by author Jenny B. Jones, Finding You is neither an epic biographical thriller like Oppenheimer nor a star-studded affair like Barbie, but a simple two-hour long comedy drama — about finding, well, yourself.

The two main characters, Finley and Beckett, bump into each other in scenic Ireland as they are on their separate journeys to discovering themselves. Finley, a passionate violinist, is in Ireland to find her muse, just like her deceased brother had done some years ago. Beckett is a young movie star who was forced into acting in his teenage years and now feels trapped by the expectations of his “manager” (that’s what he calls his father) and his staff who are dependent on him for their livelihood. The two are unhappy in their current situations but don’t know how to move forward. And through the movie, they find their purposes and navigate their ways to achieve them.

Even as I revelled in the beauty of Ireland, the melody of the violin and the charm of watching a new romance unfold, I could not stop myself from drawing parallels with my work: Challenges facing companies are not very different from what Finley and Beckett cope with in the movie. This is specifically true when it comes taking first step in their sustainability journey.

Investors, boards, C-suite executives, are all increasingly being asked about and held responsible for a set of non-traditional business factors, and their impact on corporate performance or on shareholder returns. But as these ESG factors, will show up in mandated financial disclosures, the frenzy is palpable. Simply doing the same old thing over and over: improve efficiencies by lowering costs with increasing profits, keeping revenue maximisation and client acquisition being the core and, in the journey, showcasing the commitment to going well, is no longer sufficient.

The more I speak with and listen to corporates who are in the process of crafting their sustainability charters, the more convinced I get that this has to be an “individual journey” for every organization. There have to be unique routes for each team to pursue. There cannot be a one-size-fits-all solution.

Sustainability is contextual and it can mean different things to different organizations. In fact, within an industry, sustainability can mean different things for different companies. For eg. H&M , M&S, Patagonia and Kari Traa being in the same business, have beautifully crafted their own unique sustainability journeys.

The key is to shift your thinking just from chasing net zero targets to finding your true calling first.        

Here’s how I feel that process can be made smoother:

Being authentic - Have a soul. Don’t try to ape. Be true to yourself. You should do it because you care, not because there’s a target to be chased.

Dig deep - Something that has worked for others might not work for you. So, you need to find your own solutions. Each organization has its purpose of existence. It can even mean rethinking the core purpose on which an organization was built. It can be a daunting task but to get it ride, the pain must be endured.

Fresh perspectives - Finley found a teacher in a homeless Irish violinist; maybe you need an external partner, too. Look for diverse partners who brings in fresh perspectives and think out of the box.

Change management takes time - Sustainability philosophy cannot be based on a knee jerk reaction. For new businesses, the journey can be swift, but for brick-and-mortar businesses, it is a complex change. Managing change often takes years. Keep at it. 

Include those who matter - Take all stakeholders in to consideration in your purpose finding journey. Communicate.

Your North star – Humanity!

Finding You!