Connecting the Dots – A CEO’s Guide to Sustainable Business Leadership

Synopsis

In a world where climate risk equates to financial risk, Connecting the Dots offers a wake-up call and a roadmap for business leaders who refuse to be left behind. Authored by Simon Seebaluck, a GRI-certified strategist with experience from the University of Cambridge, Columbia Business School, and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, this book is more than just a guide; it’s a movement.

Written for CEOs, CFOs, and marketing directors who may lack the time or access to formal sustainability education, this book bridges the gap between sustainability theory and its practical application at strategic, operational, and boardroom levels. It guides you beyond buzzwords into the real, profitable realm of ESG, SDGs, Circular Economy, Human Rights, and Sustainability Reporting.

Each chapter is crafted as a strategic ‘dot’, from understanding why sustainability is no longer optional, to implementing circular business models, to measuring and managing your carbon footprint, to aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through frameworks like GRI. It challenges conventional thinking and encourages readers to view sustainability not just as a compliance checkbox but as a source of competitive advantage.

Real-world case studies, from Starbucks to Microsoft, Ikea to Lufthansa, demonstrate how global brands embed sustainability into their core strategies. The book also addresses pressing questions: How can companies prevent greenwashing? What does double materiality mean? How does ESG influence valuation, stakeholder trust, and long-term brand resilience?

Simon Seebaluck combines personal stories, academic insights, and industry experience into a compelling narrative. From transforming 1.3 million plastic bottles into denim to lecturing students at top Australian universities and training companies in Mauritius, East Africa, and Australia to enhance their ESG capabilities, his journey shows that purpose and profit can and should go hand in hand.

Whether you’re launching a new sustainability initiative or trying to unify fragmented efforts across your organisation, this book equips you with the tools, frameworks, and mindset shifts to lead with clarity and impact.

Because in today’s world, business-as-usual or the phrase I often hear, “this is how we do it here,” is now obsolete. It’s time to stop ticking the ESG box and begin building a business that lasts. Connecting the Dots shows you how.