Essential Skills for Leaders in EHS and Sustainability
Kelvin Roth
September 16, 2024
In this Q&A, Kelvin shares his 4 S’s of leadership, the difference between managing and leading, and what he’s looking forward to most about the Forum this year.
What are the important qualities of an effective leader?
I like to use the shorthand of the 4 S’s:
- Strategic mindset: Define the future direction of your organization and what it needs to do to achieve outstanding success.
- Systems management: Establish systems that keep the organization moving forward and build resilience.
- Staff leadership: Recruit the right people to achieve your strategy, ensure they have the necessary resources, and focus on their development.
- Symbolism: Communicate clearly and effectively, be the “face” of your strategy and approach while acting as the brand ambassador for EHS both internally and externally.
In my view, the distinction between leadership and management is more about definitions than philosophy. We manage things, but we lead people. To be truly effective, a leader must possess both leadership and management skills. For more insights, check out Leadership and Management: "It Takes Two".
What will people who attend your session walk away with?
Attendees can expect to gain insights from the experiences of four different leaders (that includes our moderator, Marc Juaire). We’ll discuss what has worked, what hasn’t, and the ongoing challenges we’ve faced.
I am far from a perfect leader, but I strive to maintain a growth mindset. I’m excited to be part of this session so I can learn how to better handle challenges, setbacks, and failures. Hopefully, people will see that being open to feedback and willing to learn from mistakes can make them better leaders.
What are you looking forward to most about FORUM24?
I love networking with peers. There is no better opportunity to connect with others in the EHS and Sustainability space and learn about their projects, challenges, and goals. It’s always a fun and educational experience.
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Join Kelvin and other EHS and Sustainability leaders from around the country at FORUM24 to share real-world experiences, proven strategies, and key lessons learned to advance the success of your organization. >> View full program
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About the Author
Kelvin Roth
CF Industries Inc.
Kelvin Roth is the Vice President, Environmental, Health, Safety and Quality, at CF Industries. He is an EHS professional with more than 30 years of experience in building global, results-driven EHS programs and dynamic EHS teams. He is also a past
president of the NAEM Board of Directors. Follow him on Twitter at @Oenodog.