Finding the right balance between people, the planet, and profit is challenging. TESLA’s ESG dilemma is a top example, showing that even sustainable innovation leaders can fall short of achieving a genuinely sustainable business model.

While TESLA has transformed the electric vehicle market, its removal from the S&P 500 ESG Index due to the absence of a low-carbon strategy and various social issues, including reports of racism and poor working conditions at its factory in Fremont, California, highlights that

Businesses should consider the broader implications of their actions and avoid being blinded by their own perceived righteousness.

This eye-opening revelation underlines the need for companies to examine their entire value chain and adopt a comprehensive approach to sustainability. Companies should consider the far-reaching consequences of their decisions and avoid being swayed by their presumed ethical excellence.  Here are some simple action items you can take: 

1. Reevaluate the sustainability strategy: Ensure that your strategy addresses all aspects of ESG consistently (No just climate or environmental-related issues).
2. Collaborate and learn from stakeholders: Engage with obvious and non-obvious stakeholders to find common challenges and ways to address them.
3. Foster a sustainability culture: Embed sustainability throughout the organization by promoting employee awareness, providing training, and encouraging congruent decision-making at all levels.
4. Be a transparent and proactive communicator: Communicate a compelling story about your sustainability efforts. Start by addressing internal stakeholders. Where might we overemphasize or underemphasize our actual performance? 
5. Seek expert guidance: Consider partnering with sustainability consultants who can offer fresh perspectives to your sustainability approach and support and provide tailored advice.
6. The lesson learned from TESLA’s ESG dilemma is that organizations can capitalize on inherent assets by leveraging differentiating capabilities to move faster and smother toward a people-planet-profit balance.  

The lesson learned from TESLA’s ESG dilemma is that organizations can capitalize on inherent assets by leveraging differentiating capabilities to move faster and smother toward a people-planet-profit balance.  

Genuinely moving toward sustainability can be more accessible if you prepare and explore how your business can rise to the challenge through a holistic view. When our differentiating capabilities have the potential to accelerate sustainability progress, let’s remain vigilant and not become complacent with our ESG rigor. Striking the right balance between people-planet-profit can prevent contradictions and ensure that sustainability remains a competitive advantage.