The last two episodes of Energy Thinks have got me asking this question: As you execute your vision for the energy future, which essential steps are you most likely to overlook? Or avoid! Because work as challenging as leading into the future requires acknowledging all your blind spots.
When energy leaders get together, I’m struck by their relentless, courageous problem-solving.
Climate hawks argue that nothing must stop the significant expansion of utility-scale renewables, particularly wind and solar generation.
I want to liberate you from a burden: You are no longer obligated to change anyone’s mind about the oil and gas industry.
But do you know what they want for their energy futures? Because your vision needs to be founded on their aspirations (not just yours) for them to see it as credible and compelling. This is the hidden law of energy leadership today: To effectively communicate, speak with your stakeholders, not at or past them.
As oil and gas leaders, we can’t build a future that we can’t imagine. And as civic leaders, we can’t build a future we can’t articulate to stakeholders. Civic energy leadership requires two components: (1) painting a compelling and inclusive vision of the energy future and (2) filling in that vision with the essential details of how to get it done. Both articulating a vision and making that vision happen are what we’ll be focusing on in the 2024 Both True editions and in the Energy Thinks podcast, returning with Season 7 this month.
Some executives think that scaring the public is the only way to educate them. It’s somewhat understandable—and totally counterproductive. In this Both True, I offer you an alternative to the “competing apocalypses” school of thought.
There is absolutely a path to community partnership in decarbonization projects in red states. Yet every successful engagement must consider the unique background and needs of these communities.
In this Both True, I cover the tempting pitfalls of reactive political engagement and urge you to chart a steady, resilient course free of sharks.
The #1 pushback I get from oil and gas leaders to Adamantine’s prescriptions goes something like: “But they don’t understand where their energy comes from! We have to explain the reality of the energy system.” This is true. But it doesn’t work. As a game-changing leader, you need to understand why.
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By Tisha Schuller