Clean and bright
Photo shows Jean Lucas, CEO, Eco Waste Solutions
It’s no surprise that Eco Waste Solutions is leading the way when it comes to environmental technology. CEO Jean Lucas brings out the best in her team and has helped create a culture of innovation and collaboration. Her team is keeping the world clean while fuelling sustainable environmental practices and it all boils down to the experiences she creates for her team.
I had the chance to visit with Jean at the team’s head office in Burlington, Ontario. Over coffee, Jean explained how their state-of-the-art converters work. Eco Waste’s fully customizable solutions convert waste into reusable energy – depending on the volume of waste processed, Eco Waste’s systems recover energy as hot water, steam or electricity. Ideal for remote camps, military bases or small to medium sized communities.
Photo shows Eco Waste Solutions' waste converter system. This model is currently being used to keep the North Pole clean.
As team members proudly serve their customers – including NATO, the US and Swedish Armies, De Beers, Barrick, and the Canadian Government – they’re backed by Jean’s leadership and natural ability to make everyone feel valued and good.
Cracking the code on great workplace experiences is easy when you speak with Jean.
Connecting people with an organization starts with a plan – strategies and goals need to be clearly laid out. But there’s more to it.
When people know they're doing good, they'll keep going. Jean works hard to keep the workplace an optimistic place; one where people not only understand direction, but embody the essence of what they're trying to achieve.
Under Jean’s leadership, the Eco Waste team moves at warp speeds. The team is carried by a deep rooted passion and love for a clean environment and stays ahead of the technology curve because of it.
When change occurs, the team performs strongly. It takes diligence to build this type of muscle and as the field of positive psychology suggests, three things happen when change is announced or needed.
Some people will quickly see the upside and be cool. Others might voice their concerns, prompting healthy dialogue as a result. On the flip side, some might stay silent, ultimately becoming passive or disempowered.
Change is all about feelings and if you think about it, throughout our lives we’ve evolved naturally. Consider how much of a thrill it was when you graduated from university, bought your first home, got married, landed that dream job or had your first child. It was all a thrill because you were in control. You saw what the future could bring you. And you made it happen.
That’s what makes Jean stand out. She empowers her people to take accountability and trusts them as they do. As milestones are hit, they’re celebrated. Jean instills confidence in her team – consistently engaging with them, asking them for their opinions and factoring team member viewpoints into strategic direction.
Jean makes it clear that the team’s opinions matter and that she’s committed to a workplace that prides itself on helping people understand why and knowing what it takes to make things happen. She walks the floor, takes time to be of service and speaks in a tone that is inviting and inspiring.
The good stuff continues daily.
People take notice. I took notice.
People are proud to work for and with Jean because she engages positively with those she’s privileged to work with. She constantly seeks the things that are going right so that she can help amplify more greatness.
Although I only spent an hour with Jean, there was something in our time together that sparked a sense of possibility.
Similarly to how Sarah Lewis explains in her inspiring book Positive Psychology and Change, there’s an emergence of unstoppable hope when you connect with Jean. She draws out the best in situations and people because she truly pays attention and causes a positive shift in the conceptions people have of themselves in the present.
Very much so, Jean builds people up and the world is a whole lot nicer looking because of her.
The air is cleaner and people’s outlooks are brighter.
Can it get any better than this?
