Quantum Quote: “We build too many walls, and not enough bridges.” – Isaac Newton
We live in an incredibly polarized world. Every day, we witness the widespread, massive distrust of almost everything and everyone.
How can we overcome the escalating anger and mistrust that pervades close to every aspect of our society? Well, in today’s episode, we meet Erik Wohlgemuth of Future 500 (www.future500.org) with over two decades of experience in stakeholder engagement and corporate sustainability.
Erik is trusted by diverse leaders across industries, sectors, and political persuasions. Erik is an expert in humanizing opponents through compassionate diplomacy. He is adept at depolarizing relations between businesses, activists, philanthropists, and investment leaders, so that they can find common ground and explore solutions to the social and environmental challenges that threaten our very civilization.
Erik earned his MBA from the Yale School of Management and his Master’s in Environmental Management from the Yale School of the Environment. Beyond Future 500, Erik serves as a board member for Pacific Forest Trust, and as a West Coast Advisory Board member for the Yale School of Management.
Erik is also a fellow chapter director for Environmental Entrepreneurs or E2, the national, nonpartisan nonprofit organization of over 10,000 business people who are advocating for policies that are good for the economy and the environment.
Now let’s hear Erik tell us how future 500 is depolarizing relations to effect durable change that happens at the speed of trust.
Today’s AWESome Earth Kind podcast is sponsored by EarthKind Energy Consulting.
EarthKind Energy brings over 30 years of expertise in creating clean energy projects that reduce energy costs, provide outstanding returns on investment, lower carbon footprints, and leave a proud legacy for our children and all future generations. You can visit EarthKindEnergy.com to discover how EarthKind Energy Consulting partners with developers, builders, communities, government entities, and nonprofit organizations to create new revenue sources, reduce energy and operation costs, and lower carbon footprints with energy efficiency, solar, air and ground source (geothermal) heat pumps, electric vehicles, and EV charging stations.
Challenges:
Erik faced challenges related to building trust between corporations and civil society leaders.
● He struggled with finding the courage to follow a less beaten path in his career.
● Erik works to navigate the polarization in plaguing this country and the world.
● He encountered challenges related to corporate political responsibility and bridging the gap between different perspectives on issues like clean energy.
● Erik also faced difficulties dealing with the slow pace of change and the frustration of idealistic younger generations.
● He experienced setbacks in projects where trust and collaboration were not established effectively.
● Erik is dealing with the complexities of permit reform and regulatory systems hindering progress in various projects and the hard work of operationalizing environmental justice principles within a big oil and gas company.
Lessons: Building trust and collaboration between different stakeholders is essential for effecting positive change. Humanization and finding common ground, even with polarized opposites, can lead to collaboration and progress. Permit reform and operationalizing environmental justice are two key areas for addressing current challenges in the energy and environmental sectors.
Supernova 1: “Humanization leads to trust. Trust leads to collaboration.” – Erik Wohlgemuth
Supernova 2: “Humanize, think about people that may be your polarized opposite, and figure out a way to find common ground with them.” – Erik Wohlgemuth
Aha Moment:
“A critical moment was walking into a business school admissions office and picking up a flier that changed my life.” – Erik Wohlgemuth
Most Energized About:
“One area we’re focusing on as a team is permit reform in the United States. You’re seeing our regulatory system right now being used by both the right and the left to block all sorts of potential projects to help us decarbonize the energy system. I think at some point we have to figure out a way through this so we can start to get some stuff done.” – Erik Wohlgemuth
Parting Advice:
“I encourage everybody when they’re out in their day, going to events, going to a corporate meeting or whatever organization they work in to figure out ways to bring in different ideas. Who’s not in the room who you should speak up for so you get those ideas out into the ether? And that can change people’s minds.” – Erik Wohlgemuth
Connect with Our Guest:
● Website: https://www.future500.org/ideas
● X: @future500
● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/future-500
