Erin Sprague

article

Simply reducing emissions is no longer good enough. Now, there’s a tool every company can use that’s high-impact, high-leverage, and often overlooked: climate advocacy.

expert panel

Apply these expert tips to boost brand credibility and longevity to compete in the sustainable marketplace. With environmental concerns growing on today's consumer radar, eco-conscious design is no longer a niche—it’s strategically imperative. And greenwashing doesn't cut it. Smart companies are realizing that designing products with environmental considerations front and center doesn’t just benefit the planet—it boosts resilience, brand loyalty, and long-term profitability.  From embedding circularity in every stage of the supply chain to choosing materials that nurture both nature and the user experience, sustainability fuels innovation when it's done the right way with an intentional design framework. Below, the members of Fast Company Executive Board share 15 ways for companies to design products that have a positive impact on the environment.  

expert panel

While inspiration and influence are both powerful tools, they don’t always mean the same thing or lead to the same results. At their core, both inspiration and influence aim to move people—but how they do so, and what follows, can vary dramatically. For leaders, choosing between (or balancing) the two can shape not only how others respond, but also how trust, motivation and lasting impact are built. Some see inspiration as the deeper force, igniting internal purpose, while others view influence as the practical key to decision-making and action. Below, 20 members of Fast Company Executive Board share how they view the distinction between inspiration and influence, and which they believe carries more weight in effective leadership.