Puntan-Galea, Sarah (2025) What is the Best Leadership Style to Connect People to Nature, and Can This Help Organisations Deliver the Welsh Government’s Well-being of Future Generations Act (2015) Goals? Masters thesis, University of Wales Trinity Saint David.
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Abstract
A decade after it was launched, this dissertation looks at how organisations can help the Welsh Government deliver its Well-being of Future Generations Act (WFGA) goals of being a more equal, prosperous, community-focused, cultural, healthier, resilient, and globally responsible Wales, by leaders connecting employees and themselves to nature and creating a ‘nature culture’ in organisations across the country. This builds on research by White et al (2019), which found people who spent two hours per week in nature experienced many benefits including being happier, healthier, and more productive employees, and therefore building more efficient, profitable, and sustainable organisations. Plus, wider benefits of connecting people to place and community, the environment and planet, especially due to the stewardship being in nature inspires. The quantitative and qualitative research conducted (in the form of an online survey and interviews with around 200 people in South Wales) found the WFGA is already engrained and making a difference in some sectors, especially the Welsh National Health Service, where research showed the benefits of nature access are already being embraced, e.g. social green prescribing. However, other managers questioned did not know about or implement the WFGA in their organisation’s strategies, especially interviewees in the education and private sector – concerns were flagged by smaller private sector organisations that it could be time-consuming and costly to implement nature access activities in the workplace, or during working hours. Solutions were analysed, from free lunch break walks in local parks, to breaking the two hours of nature access down to a 20-minute activity in a green or blue space. Research looked at what type of leadership styles were needed to create change, and introduce nature access opportunities within organisations. Based on definitions by Daniel Goleman (2015) and Kurt Lewin (1947), a ‘commanding’ style would help introduce new activities, a ‘visionary’ style would inspire employees to engage with nature, and a ‘democratic’ style could win employees over and embed a nature access culture. Empathy and emotional intelligence were found to be key leadership traits for this to be a success. Lewin’s Three-Stage (Unfreeze-Change-Refreeze) Model of Change was recommended to help the shift in organisational culture. Findings from research conducted showed appetite for this change is already present in organisations in South Wales: 78% of managers said accessing nature made them a better leader; 72% thought the employees they managed performed better, were more productive, and helped organisations succeed if they accessed nature regularly; 98% said they felt more connected to nature after accessing it; and 77% stating they want to look after nature more due to spending time in it. However, only 36% said their place of work offers nature access activities, yet 55% of managers questioned would be willing to give employees time off for activities. Activities that could be organised by workplaces, local councils, health centres, community, or hobby groups, to help people access nature easily for the two hours per week needed were exhaustive. Research showed it is important that whatever activities employees do they are accessible and enjoyable for take-up, and are seen to give value for buy-in, to allow long-term cultural change to take place, otherwise ‘green-washing’ could occur. There are many options, from the larger companies having on-site green spaces and facilities for yoga classes, to start-ups conducting walking meetings outdoors. If the time is spent volunteering, capacity gaps by conservation groups and local councils (e.g. litter-picking) could be met, as well as helping a stretched health service due to the mental and physical health benefits experienced by those accessing nature regularly. Interviewees reported feeling happier, calmer, energised, focused, peaceful and fitter when accessing nature. Recommendations were given. From legislating for the WFGA to feature in all Wales-based organisations (including schools, so children grow up learning about, respecting and accessing nature as a lifelong habit, even attending forest schools), to legislating for the working week to include two hours spent doing nature-based activities – 77% surveyed said they would be more likely to access nature if they had activities arranged for them. Introducing a Welsh and word that translates to ‘nature connectedness’ was also recommended for a nature culture to embed throughout Wales (and the UK) in and out of workplaces, because all countries researched with a strong culture of nature connectedness had a specific word for this. Accessibility was also found to be important, from access to paths in green spaces to public transport to them, with car parks and toilets with baby changing facilities, drinking water and disabled access. Also cafes for refreshments, giving another wider benefit of employment opportunities much needed in South Wales. The dissertation also looked further than cultural change in Wales, because organisations do not exist and operate in a silo. Those that operate in a healthy environment, on a healthy planet, thrive – which brings together the link to workers’ access to nature and more profitable companies. And rethinking economics in a way that balances social well-being and planetary health to truly achieve the WFGA goals, was also researched. Including Kate Raworth’s Doughnut Economics (2023), because it is not just about providing employees with nature access, but also about integrating nature culture into a holistic strategy that involves promoting sustainability, health equity, social well-being, and economic prosperity through nature-based solutions to get national benefits. This could position the country as kinder, cleaner and fairer, which could attract organisations and employees from around the world to Wales.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor |
| Divisions: | Theses and Dissertations > Masters Dissertations |
| Depositing User: | Victoria Hankinson |
| Date Deposited: | 10 Jul 2025 15:38 |
| Last Modified: | 10 Jul 2025 15:38 |
| URI: | https://repository.uwtsd.ac.uk/id/eprint/3815 |
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