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How to Become a Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO)

Set your sights on a CSO role? With the right steps and strategy in place, it's possible.

Download your free strategic blueprint to becoming a CSO 

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      Free Video Mini-Series And Downloadable Guide

      How to become a Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO): The Ultimate Guide

      Set your sights on a CSO role? With the right steps and strategy in place, it's very possible.

      Get Instant Access To Our Exclusive Guide Now!

       

          By signing up to this free resource you consent to receive regular emails from Walk of Life Coaching with updates and free resources, and the occasional promotion for products and events. You can unsubscribe at any time. View our detailed privacy policy in the footer.

          Access the 3-part video mini-series today to learn...

          Behind the scenes insights into the CSO's role and responsibilities - influencing, shifting mindsets and turning strategy into policy.

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          How to nail your network to ensure you are the first to know about the hidden jobs market and to get insider intel on openings.

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          The skills in demand to become a CSO plus practical strategies to build and showcase them effectively.

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          About Shannon

          Your coach, mentor and career partner

          Shannon Houde has spent two decades mentoring, coaching and training more than 1,500 change leaders and CSOs in the impact sector across 25+ countries and over 4,000 hours of one-to-one support.

          She founded Walk of Life, the first-of-its kind international career advisory business focused solely on corporate sustainability and ESG, more than 15 years ago.

          As an ICF-certified executive coach accredited in the Leadership Circle Profile™, Shannon was selected as a meta coach for the Goleman Emotional Intelligence certification program. She is a published author of the book "Good Work" and has been a GreenBiz columnist for more than 10 years.

          Her coaching is underpinned by 30 years in recruitment and 10 years as a sustainability consultant and in-house practitioner within Fortune 500 companies, management consultancies and recruitment agencies including Adobe, Barclays, BlackRock, Deloitte and WWF as well as...

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          Shannon's encouragement and facilitation in gaining insights on how to influence my Board, empower my staff and build the organizations' reputation with external stakeholders was invaluable. Her coaching style is equally enabling, supportive and challenging.

          In at least three different key breakthrough points in the last 8-10 years of my career in sustainability, Shannon has been an invaluable source of insight and support. She has helped to crystalize my vision and optimize my preparations when I was considering or pursuing exciting new career opportunities. She served as an insightful sounding board as I pursued continued professional development within existing roles. She has been, and continues to be, an extremely valued partner in the advancement of the very rewarding sustainability career journey.

          With Shannon's help I was able to develop the clarity and confidence to reposition myself as a corporate sustainability leader. Through her tools and guidance, I identified where I truly wanted to lead and built the gravitas to step into that space. I refined my personal brand, aligned my LinkedIn and resume and approached opportunities strategically. The result? A role where the head of HR called my resume one of the best she’d seen. Shannon’s approach continues to shape how I evaluate and grow in my leadership journey.

          Tim Mohin
          Partner and Director
          Boston Consulting Group

          Bryan Sheehan
          Managing Director, ESG and Carbon Strategies
          WAP Sustainability

          Christine Riley Miller
          Director of Sustainability
          Samsonite

          Shannon's encouragement and facilitation in gaining insights on how to influence my Board, empower my staff and build the organizations' reputation with external stakeholders was invaluable. Her coaching style is equally enabling, supportive and challenging.

          Tim Mohin
          Partner and Director
          Boston Consulting Group

          I highly recommend working with Shannon and her Walk of Life team. They have a well-developed curriculum, thoughtful resources, and a well-researched approach to recruitment, positioning, and networking.

          Bryan Sheehan
          Managing Director, ESG and Carbon Strategies
          WAP Sustainability

          Shannon's insight and guidance were incredibly helpful in refreshing my personal brand. Constructive criticism paired with kindness and support - the perfect recipe. Soon after I made the jump to VP.

          Kathy Cacciola
          Global Sustainability Lead, Food Program
          Google

          would recommend Walk of Life to a friend or colleague

          Leadership Circle Profile™

          Imagine holding up a mirror to see the leader within you.

          The Leadership Circle Profile (LCP) is an innovative breakthrough in 360° profiling. It is the first comprehensive 360° leadership assessment tool to combine core leadership competencies with inner developmental traits, offering a holistic view of your effectiveness as a leader. It integrates:

          Creative Competencies – Effective behaviors like fostering relationships, achieving results, and strategic thinking.
          Reactive Tendencies – Internal barriers like control, compliance, and protective actions that may limit potential.

          With intuitive visuals and a research-backed framework, LCP aligns with your goals to drive growth and performance.

          Ready to transform as a leader from the inside out?

          As a certified ICF-PCC executive coach since 2017 and an accredited Leadership Circle Profile coach, Shannon was selected as a Meta Coach to teach Daniel Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence Coach Certification course. She is also certified in Harrison Assessments, The GameChanger Index and Korn Ferry's ESCI 360. PCC credential holders are trained, experienced coaches with a commitment to high ethical standards. 

          Our Pledge

          We plant one tree for every hour of coaching sold, dating back to 2008 when the business was founded.

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