An Introduction to Future Stewards

We are a coalition of three partners:

Global Optimism was founded by the architects of the Paris Climate Agreement, Christiana Figueres and Tom Carnac. They bring practical insights on the behaviours, mindsets and leadership required to build coalitions, and a dynamic network of global leaders who know and trust their skills.

Leaders’ Quest develops effective, compassionate leaders for fast-changing, disrupted environments. Clients range from multinationals to non-profits, governments and systemic initiatives.

We Mean Business catalyzes influential businesses to transition to a low-carbon economy. It fosters collaboration between traditional competitors and brings experience of convening diverse stakeholders from across a sector.

Together we address complex systemic problems, using practical tools to foster systems thinking, enhance leadership effectiveness and drive innovation.

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Who are Future Stewards?

We envision a world where we all live rewarding lives within well-functioning societies, in harmony with the biosphere.

Adapting to a world of 9 billion plus people requires us to transform many facets of the way we live and work.

Our goal over the next five to ten years is to unlock the collective will – across business, government and civil society – to achieve a regenerative future.

We need to:• Restore integrity between individuals, human systems and the planet.

• Transition from a mindset of competitive scarcity to one of regenerative abundance*.

• Move from stock-based to flow-based economies.

• Work together effectively on a local, regional and global scale.

* Regenerative abundance: the circular renewal (restorative lifecycle) of a system, which ensures growth (rather than depletion and waste).

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Why we’ve come together

This long-term transition towards a regenerative future means leaders today must chart a path through conditions of exceptional uncertainty.

Against this backdrop:

• Our collective imagination struggles to forge a clear narrative of sustainable capitalism (and equitable societies more broadly).

• Efforts to define regenerative scenarios for growth – at individual and organizational levels – are fragmented. In today’s ‘win or lose’ zeitgeist, collaboration is an uphill struggle.

• Systems transformation will only follow if we first commit to change at a personal level. It’s imperative that we examine our own attitudes and behaviors as a foundation to effecting change at a systemic level.

Future Stewards supports people who are committed to reshaping their outlook – and influence – on the workplace and on the systems that surround them to address these gaps.

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How we see the challenge

Systems transformation

Collaborating with strategic partners on key themes. Creating pathways for transformative change. Sharing tools, practices and outcomes as part of the ‘collective commons’*.

Personal growth

Focusing on behaviors and mindsets as a first step towards meaningful collaboration on systems transformation.

Networked leadership

Nurturing a community of diverse practitioners to align in pursuit of common goals.

We create experiential programs that equip teams, organizations and partnerships to work with major influencers to accelerate transformation. We help strengthen their effectiveness by integrating three key elements:

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* Collective commons: resources that are held in common (not privately) and are accessible for people to share/adapt for non-commercial purposes.

Our approach

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Generous collaboration. We work in a co-creative spirit with partners and clients.

Mutual learning. We create a safe space to explore tough questions and forge deep relationships.

Nimble delivery. We adapt to changing circumstances and opportunities.

Building the bridge as we walk on it. We help leaders respond creatively in today’s complex world.

Patient ambition. This is a cumulative journey; we’re in this work for the long-term.

Our guiding principles

We came back with a tremendous amount of energy, many fresh connections, and new thinking.

Zia KhanThe Rockefeller Foundation

I walked away energized by the chance to think about roles and approaches in new ways. The opportunity to deepen relationships packed more value and enjoyment into two days than I might get in a given month.

Aron Cramer

BSR

The program was a key milestone in my own transformation journey. We brought back transformative ideas that were immediately implemented.

Virginie HeliasP&G

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Every company needs to exist to solve a societal problem – and if we get it right for society and our customers, the financial benefits will follow.

Ashok VaswaniBarclays UK

The program gives you the confidence to push the boundaries of comfort, how you think about yourself, your role in the world and what it takes to achieve the things you want.

Peter WheelerThe Nature Conservancy

The program opened my eyes to a higher level of leadership – one that thinks and acts at a global level, with a high degree of responsibility and integrity, without reducing shareholder value.

Jim Hagemann SnabeSAP, Maersk, Allianz, Siemens, Bang and Olufsen, World Economic Forum

What our partners say

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We’d love to explore how we might work alongside you – and help strengthen the efforts already underway. We’re based in London and New York, with an extended network of colleagues around the world.

Please get in touch: Nicole.Ng@leadersquest.org

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