Tackling Our Generation's Greatest Challenges
A Playbook of soft skills and attributes for Environmental Professionals
The Environmental Professional's Playbook
Key Soft Skills and Attributes for Impactful Change
Major social, economic, and environmental drivers are influencing all sectors and industries.
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Upskilling in three priority technical areas is required across organizations.
Climate change and decarbonization
Nature and biodiversity
Circular economy and pollution reduction
To create a significant impact, green technical skills must be paired with targeted behaviors, attitudes, and attributes.
The imperative of the green agenda spans across industries and regions, with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations and climate action shaping organizational strategies and career pathways. Navigating this evolving landscape demands deep expertise and commitment to sharing knowledge collaboratively. To make a significant contribution, technical proficiency in green initiatives must be augmented by specific behaviors, attitudes, and attributes.
Environmental Professionals (EPs) operating in the technical consulting arena are poised to lead, crafting and executing solutions that resonate with these vital skills. The most adept EPs will be those adept at integrating technical prowess with strong interpersonal and leadership capabilities. Jacobs has pinpointed nine essential attributes for the contemporary EP's success.
An accessible and interactive resource has been created to explore these attributes and dimensions, aimed at:
- Empowering aspiring or early career Environmental Professionals eager to enhance their skill set.
- Assisting educators, managers or mentors tasked with nurturing the next generation of talent.
- Supporting industry professionals, leaders, and clients dedicated to assembling and overseeing teams driven by impactful outcomes.
This paper posits nine attributes which we see as imperative to the success of the modern Environmental Professional (EP). These are broadly grouped into three overarching dimensions, which together create a well-rounded and complete profile to handle the diverse challenges related to the role and its mandate.
Excel
Technical Skills that deal with domain expertise and capacity to innovate
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Specialist
- Deepen and maintain your domain expertise
- Align with reputable networks & systems
- Look outside of your silos
Credible
- Scrutinize 'green' claims thoroughly
- Be guided by trusted sources
- Consider the credibility of your associations
Creator
- Stay informed about technological advances
- Foster innovation and creative problem solving
- Celebrate advances, no matter how small
Connect
Interpersonal skills to emphasize important issues and foster synergies
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Communicator
- Base your 'argument' on robust analysis
- Tailor communication to the receiving audience
- Ensure messaging supports the desired outcomes
Facilitator
- Respect differing priorities
- Seek holistic co-benefits
- Recognize trade-offs & seek 'net positive' outcomes
Collaborator
- Recognize the subtleties
- Support collaboration
- Seek diverse perspectives
Guide
Values and Leadership skills to lead with integrity and credibility
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Principled
- Establish your code
- Recognize what and who you can most influence
- Use data responsibly
Champion
- Reserve a seat at the decision-making table
- Know where to engage for the greatest impact
- Embed sustainability into your business
Visionary
- Anticipate future challenges and trends
- Defy the odds and remain positive
Excel
Technical Skills that deal with domain expertise and capacity to innovate
Connect
Interpersonal Skills to emphasize important issues and foster synergies
Guide
Values and Leadership Skills to lead with integrity and credibility
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Environmental Attributes Playbook
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