Deep Time, Leadership & Innovation

As leaders, we are often driven by immediate results, but what if we broadened our perspective to include “deep time”? Drawing on insights from Rian Satterwhite, Kate Sheridan and Whitney McIntyre Miller who wrote "Rediscovering Deep Time: Sustainability and the Need to Re-Engage With Multiple Dimensions of Time in Leadership Studies," we can embrace sustainability not just in ecological terms but in how we lead and innovate.

I love to help brands and organizations harness historical and cultural narratives to create experiences, activations and exhibitions that transcend immediate, short-term relevance and tap into the long arc of human creativity. This approach reshapes how teams collaborate, focusing not just on short-term outputs but on building projects with lasting impact.

In management, incorporating multiple time dimensions encourages leaders to think beyond quarterly targets. This can be seen in Patagonia’s long-term environmental commitments or Unilever’s focus on sustainable sourcing, which balances current needs with future generations’ welfare. Leadership rooted in sustainability isn’t just about environmentalism—it’s about rethinking our strategies to build lasting value.

By re-engaging with deep time, leaders can foster innovation that endures, guiding teams to create solutions not just for today but for tomorrow’s world.