**6. Proposed integrative framework of sustainable leadership and future direction**

As shown in the insights and pitfalls in this review, sustainable leadership is complex and parsed into two broad dimensions: Individual and organisational. The proposed integrative framework of sustainable leadership brings together four different components: leading self, sustainable organisation and society, sustainable DAC and sustainability contextual factors shaping effective and sustainable leadership. It is noteworthy to underscore that sustainable leadership involves people and

#### **Figure 4.**

*Integrative framework of sustainable leadership. Source: Own.*

is not context-free and inward-looking only. **Figure 4** depicts how the framework of sustainable leadership centralises sustainable DAC and integrates the leading of self and leading of sustainable organisation in the environment.

Below is a brief discussion of the critical elements of the integrative framework of sustainable leadership.

#### **6.1 Sustainable DAC: long-term, holistic and systemic balance at all levels**

A 'sustainability lens' reframes the enactment of sustainable leadership within an 'open organisational and social system and centralises sustainable DAC in the economic, social, cultural and institutional context'. At the centre of the proposed framework of sustainable leadership is the sustainable DAC at the nexus of leading self, sustainable organisation and society in a sustainability context. Sustainable leaders recognise interconnections and interdependencies between the individual, team, organisation and society, which are key in a holistic pursuit of the triple bottom in an open environment. The sustainable DAC calls for long-term future orientation and envisioning (sustaining the needs of future generations), the anticipation and prevention of harmful unintended consequences. Sustainable leadership is systemic and holistic and incorporates the social, environmental and economic dimensions to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

#### **6.2 Sustainability contextual factors**

Context is critical for sustainable leadership and constitutes a web of interwoven internal and external dynamic factors, which pose limits and demands that threaten. At the same time, some reveal opportunities for economic, environmental or social resources at the sectoral, local, regional or global level. Firstly, the context of sustainable leadership is characterised by dynamism, complexity and unpredictability, which interweave to depict environmental turbulence. Secondly, sustainable leadership is exercised in the interrelated environmental, economic and social systems. While leaders pursue organisational sustainability by simply comparing performance to past years or peers alone, sustainable leaders are also implored to make a comparison to limits and thresholds at the broader social and environmental levels.

Third, the contextual aspect of sustainable leadership also manifests by a macromicro link of real-world social, economic and environmental spheres. This is pivotal for sustainable leadership and organisation to meaningfully understand the sustainability or unsustainability of their impacts in the short and long term in the local and global context. Sustainable leadership responds to macro-environment changes arising due to broad environmental factors that impact, to a lesser or lesser extent, many organisations, industries and sectors (e.g. climate change). Sustainable leaders also respond to microenvironmental changes specific to an organisation or the immediate location or sector in which they operate. Lastly, how a leader manages internal and external interdependencies and a web of interrelationships is critical in creating and sustaining an organisation. Sustainable leadership has a proactive approach to constantly scanning the broader and internal organisational environments to monitor internal and external changes regarding interdependencies and interfaces. Sustainable leaders reconfigure the organisational architecture and develop a sustainable relationship with internal and external stakeholders. As sustainability is the prism through

which activities to create value are strategized and executed, and success is defined and achieved, there is a need for sustainable leaders to apply a context-based approach to sustainability.
