Introducing the Chief Flourishing Officer
The CFLO is responsible for creating the conditions for people and planet to flourish.
Last week I introduced the idea of a Chief Flourishing Officer (CFLO).
The key responsibility of the CFLO is to create the conditions for people and planet to flourish.
Because we humans can only truly flourish, if the planet flourishes. This kind of systemic thinking is still very much missing in the corporate world.
It is interesting though, because science has clearly shown that when people thrive, business thirves. People that are doing and feeling well, gener£à_outdated paradigms building on traditional performance management which is mostly concerned about what is being achieved, rather than how, let considering people’s well-being while doing the work.
Too many are trapped in a performance world, where delivering results is more important than personal growth and flourishing.
The main task of the Chief Flourishing Officer is to turn that on its head.
Setting the priority on personal growth and flourishing out of which good performance results.
Learn how to get started with the CFLO
Now, what would a job description of a CFLO look like? That is exactly what I asked AI to write up for me, and this what it came up with (slightly edited by me):
Job Description: Chief Flourishing Officer (CFLO)
Position Overview
The Chief Flourishing Officer (CFLO) is a visionary C-Suite role responsible for creating and maintaining the conditions necessary for both people and planet to flourish. This role combines elements of sustainability leadership, people development, organizational culture, and regenerative business practices into a unified position focused on holistic well-being and long-term thriving both inside and outside the organization.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership for Flourishing: Develop and implement organization-wide strategies that prioritize human and planetary flourishing alongside business outcomes.
Culture Transformation: Assess, design, and evolve company culture to support employee well-being, psychological safety, growth, and engagement while eliminating extractive practices.
Sustainability & Regeneration: Lead initiatives that ensure the organization operates regeneratively, minimizing harm and actively contributing to environmental and social restoration.
Well-being Programs: Oversee comprehensive well-being initiatives including mental health support, work-life integration, flow state cultivation, and positive psychology interventions.
Stakeholder Flourishing: Ensure that business practices support the flourishing of all stakeholders—employees, customers, communities, suppliers, and the natural environment.
Cross-Functional Integration: Work collaboratively with all C-Suite executives to embed flourishing principles into business operations, strategy, and decision-making.
Metrics & Accountability: Establish meaningful metrics for measuring human and planetary flourishing, and hold the organization accountable to these standards.
Change Leadership: Guide the organization through the transition from extractive to regenerative practices, managing resistance and building buy-in across all levels.
Required Qualifications
Proven leadership experience at senior level, ideally within sustainability, organizational development, or social impact sectors
Deep understanding of positive psychology, flow science, and human flourishing principles
Knowledge of regenerative business practices, circular economy, sustainability frameworks, and planetary boundaries
Strong systems thinking capabilities and ability to navigate complex, interconnected challenges
Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
Experience in organizational culture assessment and transformation
Commitment to values-driven leadership and authentic care for people and planet
Desired Qualifications
Certification or advanced training in coaching, positive psychology, or organizational development
Background in climate science, environmental studies, organizational psychology, or sustainable business
Track record of successfully implementing culture change initiatives
Experience working with B Corps, social enterprises, or purpose-driven organizations
Understanding of indigenous wisdom and regenerative principles
Understanding of planetary boundaries and carrying capacities
Trained in the UN Sustainable Development Performance Indicators
Key Competencies
Visionary thinking balanced with practical implementation
Empathy and emotional intelligence
Exceptional listening skills
Systems awareness and holistic perspective
Courage to challenge extractive status quo
Collaborative and inclusive leadership style
Coaching mindset
Resilience and adaptability in the face of complexity
Success Metrics
Measurable improvements in employee well-being, engagement, and retention
Progress toward organizational sustainability and regenerative impact goals
Cultural transformation indicators showing shift from extractive to flourishing-oriented practices
Stakeholder feedback demonstrating positive impact on communities and ecosystems
Integration of flourishing principles into core business strategy and operations
Reporting Structure
The Chief Flourishing Officer reports directly to the CEO and sits on the Executive Leadership Team, working closely with all C-Suite members to ensure flourishing is embedded across all organizational functions.
Why This Role Matters
We can no longer afford to extract from people or planet. The CFLO represents a fundamental shift in organizational leadership—one that recognizes that true success means creating conditions where all stakeholders can thrive. This role is essential for companies committed to being part of the solution to our interconnected social and environmental challenges, rather than perpetuating the problems.
How to get started
Do you like the job description above? Would you like to add this role to your C-Suite, but you’re unsure where or how to start?
The you might be interested in my services as your fractional CFLO.
In my approach I typically start with the company culture. Why? Because any significant organizational transformation has to be anchored in the culture to truly perpetuate throughout the whole organization in the long-term.
So, does your culture fundamentally create those conditions, where your people are flourishing?
If so, great, and how can it be further improved. Or how can the flourishing of the planet be integrated. If not, then where should we start making changes?
This is how I want to help you.
So you can better help your people do and be better.
So you and your organization can help the planet.
My goal is to amplify and accelerate your efforts for the better, increase your positive impact on people and planet.
Get in touch so we can explore how our collaboration could look like. Book your Discovery Call
