In this episode of Driven to Lead, our guest Eric Corey Freed, Director of Sustainability at Cannon Design, shares a powerful story about how sustainability can become much more than an environmental initiative. Eric describes working with a major children’s hospital in California that had asked for help developing its first sustainability plan. What began as a conversation about recycling, environmental impact, and responsible operations became something much deeper. During a retreat with senior executives, department leaders, and key partners, the team began sharing data, ideas, and insights that normally lived in separate parts of the organization. As the conversation unfolded, the sustainability planning process helped break down silos, reconnect the team to its mission, and spark a broader discussion about innovation, health, hope, and the lives of the children they serve. One of the most memorable outcomes was Eric’s idea of a “North Star metric” — not just a financial or operational measure, but a human one that captures what the organization is really trying to create. For this hospital, that metric became the sound of laughter in the hallways. Eric’s story is a reminder that leadership, innovation, and sustainability all begin with asking better questions, bringing the right people together, and reconnecting the organization to the mission that matters most.
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– Wayne and the Driven to Lead podcast team
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Driven to Lead is a podcast dedicated to inspiring and empowering business leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs to reach their full potential. Hosted by Wayne Brannon, each episode dives deep into leadership strategies, personal growth, team management, and real-world business challenges. Whether you’re leading a startup or a large organization, Driven to Lead offers actionable insights to help you build strong teams, develop your leadership skills, and create a positive impact in your workplace. Tune in weekly to unlock your leadership potential and drive success.