Sustainability and leadership: navigating the human factor in advancing sustainability within the construction industry

Abstract

Sustainability presents one of the most pressing challenges for the construction sector, which remains a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. As the industry seeks pathways toward more sustainable practices, leadership is increasingly recognised as a critical driver of organisational change. However, the relationship between leadership styles and sustainability implementation remains underexplored, particularly in the context of the UK construction industry. This study investigates how different leadership practices influence the adoption and success of sustainability initiatives. A critical review of existing literature was conducted to identify key leadership styles and their attributes, followed by a quantitative survey of leading construction professionals in the UK. The findings reveal that leadership styles, particularly transformational and strategic types, play a pivotal role in shaping sustainability outcomes, with each style tending to prioritise different aspects of the sustainability agenda (economic, environmental, or social). This study makes a valuable contribution to both theory and practice by illuminating the nuanced influence of leadership on sustainability efforts in construction. It highlights the need for consistent, proactive leadership and offers practical insight into aligning leadership approaches with the demands of sustainable development.</p