Speak Up Woman! Uncomfortable conversations with Annie Beavis

In this episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma welcomes Annie Beavis to discuss navigating difficult conversations in sustainability, building resilience during economic turbulence, and supporting each other within the industry.The episode highlights the work of Not Sustainable, a collective focused on impact, and dives into the realities of driving change, especially in medium-sized enterprises.Key TopicsThe origins and mission of Not Sustainable (01:39)Economic pressures and resilience in sustainability roles (03:25)Changing industry attitudes—showcasing sustainability less and its consequences (04:26)Marketing, messaging, and sales as fundamental skills for sustainability professionals (07:53)Strategies for having difficult conversations and pushing back constructively (07:25)The value of leveraging previous experience (finance, procurement, social housing) in sustainability roles (16:00)Importance of trust-building and self-awareness for gaining traction (34:09)Insights on imperfection, authenticity, and working with boards (25:50)Advice for new entrants in sustainability: take your time, build trust, and don’t carry all the weight yourself (40:09)Quotes"It’s not about perfection, but about building trust and staying resilient—business is always hard, sustainability shouldn’t be treated as an optional extra." — Emma (18:36)"Ground yourself in business reality first, because if you carry an expectation of perfection, leaders are less likely to be honest." — Annie Beavis (27:46)TakeawaysBuild trust before pushing difficult conversationsResilience and adaptability are crucial as the sustainability agenda fluctuatesUse your background and diverse skills to open doors in sustainability rolesDon’t strive for perfection—progress is about small, authentic stepsSupport networks like Not Sustainable can help practitioners maintain perspective and avoid burnoutNext StepsIf you enjoyed the insights from Emma and Annie Beavis, please:Subscribe and leave a reviewShare this episode with colleagues or friends working in sustainabilityJoin the conversation on LinkedIn and check out the Beacon newsletter for more straight talking sustainability contentResources & LinksConnect with Annie Beavis on LinkedInVisit Not Sustainable: Learn more about the collective, their projects and join the communityLighthouse Sustainability: Subscribe to the Beacon newsletterBook a Power Hour with Emma https://calendly.com/emma-lighthouse/power-hourConnect with EmmaWebsiteEmailEmma Burlow | LinkedIn