On regenerative leadership with Chaya Mistry

The world of work is changing, and so is the role of communication professionals. In my recent conversation with Chaya Mistry, human leadership and communication coach, we explored how regenerative leadership offers a way forward—beyond sustainability, towards transformation. But what does this mean for communicators?

Why regenerative leadership matters

Organizations are at a crossroads. Many have spent the past decade focusing on sustainability—ensuring they don’t deplete resources, whether environmental, financial, or human. But as Chaya explained, sustainability alone is not enough. The goal should not just be to prevent harm but to restore, revitalize, and regenerate.

The same applies to our workplaces. Many organizations still operate in a high-demand, high-burnout culture, extracting effort from employees without replenishing them. Regenerative leadership seeks to change this by prioritizing ecosystems of well-being, innovation, and trust.

The communication professional’s role in regenerative leadership

So where do communicators fit into this shift? More than we might think.

• Creating thinking spaces: Communication professionals are often seen as message creators, but in a regenerative leadership model, we help create spaces for reflection and dialogue. Instead of just pushing out content, we can facilitate conversations that challenge outdated mindsets and encourage growth.
• Moving from tactical support to strategic influence: Too often, communication teams are brought in at the last moment to “package” leadership messages. But what if we were involved earlier, shaping the very way leadership thinks about change? A regenerative mindset means moving beyond execution to partnership and influence.
• Shifting from linear to ecosystem thinking: Traditional corporate communication often follows a linear model: a message is crafted, approved, and sent out. But regenerative leadership encourages ecosystem thinking—recognizing the complex interconnections between employees, stakeholders, and the wider world.
• Helping leaders do their inner work: Regenerative leadership starts from within. Leaders who fail to reflect on their values and biases struggle to create inclusive and sustainable workplaces. As communicators, we can help leaders pause, reflect, and connect their personal values to their professional actions.

Beyond sustainability: A call to action

Chaya shared a powerful insight: “The inner work is what drives the outer change.” For organizations to become truly regenerative, we must move beyond simply sustaining the present. We must actively create environments where people thrive, where inclusion is not just a policy but a lived experience, and where communication serves as a bridge to deeper connection.

This shift won’t happen overnight. But as communication professionals, we are uniquely positioned to help organizations make it—not just by sharing messages, but by shaping mindsets.

Let’s start asking:

• Are we creating thinking spaces for leaders, or just responding to requests?
• How can we move from tactical execution to strategic influence?
• How can we embed regenerative leadership principles into our communication strategies?

Regenerative leadership is the future. And it’s time for communicators to step into this conversation—not just as messengers, but as changemakers.

Listen to the full episode here: https://on.soundcloud.com/UjNXpoPWv4htTNX49

 Download the transcript .docx