Ray Anderson was a true sustainability pioneer

Ray Anderson has sadly lost his fight against cancer.

It’s worth reflecting on the example he gave, because it isn’t just that he was an inspirational figure who argued for a sustainable business model.

The main reason why he stood out was that he stepped outside of his business model, and saw the world from the outsider’s perspective.

Lots of business leaders have signed up for a more sustainable business future. He was the only one who started off by describing himself as “a plunderer”.

Lots of companies have focused on incremental improvements to their environmental performance, stressing the business case and their commitment to the success of the business.

He laid out “mission zero”. Ultimately, only a zero environmental footprint was going to be the satisfactory end of the journey. This wasn’t dependant on market conditions, or customer preference. The challenge to the business was to find a way to make it work, and to make it profitable. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it already.

Some business leaders pursue sustainability because they are in a market position where it may provide some competitive advantage. Some CR commentators and promoters encourage them to do so.

But Anderson understood that the only point in Interface trailblazing a path towards zero impact was if the majority of other businesses followed suit. Why else was he so generous with his passion for the Interface sustainability story? He gave around 1,500 talks on the subject since the journey began in 1994.

He leaves his company in good shape, well on its journey.

Sadly, the rest of us are more in need of his drive and inspiration than ever before. Any thoughts of progress towards sustainability in the US are foundering on the complete breakdown of civil political discourse.

And the example of successful business leaders who haven’t waited for permission, but have begun to build the key components of a successful future and proven that it can be done? Well, those people are in short supply.

When you step outside the expectations of where everyone thinks you should go, and aim to take them with you in taking a completely new direction, that is real leadership.

We mourn the passing of Ray Anderson – a real business leader where so many are mere followers.

Ray Anderson, founder and chairman of Interface, 1934-2011.