The adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 renewed the international community’s commitment to seeking progress by integrating interests on environment and development. They were launched with a call for more action to secure advances in poverty alleviation, amongst other social goals.

The SDGs coincided with more call for “leadership” to enable progress. Across the UN system and international organisations more generally, it is widely admitted that more leadership is necessary. At a time when concepts and practices of leadership are being discussed more widely in the international community, this article can contribute to the professional development and organisational culture within IOs.