Leadership webinar key takeaways

What do you get when you mix an ex-corporate lawyer, independent utility CEO, ex-army officer, a DSO MD, mathematician, leadership consultant, and policy changer?

There’s no punchline. That’s the wealth of experience the panellists brought to our latest webinar, which focused on leadership. Particularly referencing the energy market, but covering skills for any industry. They generously shared tonnes of leadership wisdom and personal stories.

Our panel:

• Cathy McClay, Managing Director of National Grid Distribution System Operator (DSO) and GB Flexibility Commissioner
• Kirsty Nellany, Chief Operating Officer of Last Mile  
• Laura Sandys, Business Entrepreneur and Policy Innovator, CEO of Challenging Ideas
• Louise Willumsen, Manager at BFY Group
• Mark Hewett, Director and Head of Networks at BFY Group

If you missed it, it’s definitely worth a watch, but here are the essentials.

Leaders need to adapt

Leaders across the energy industry need to step up to better manage market changes (especially MHHS), risks, regulation, commercialisation, innovation, and ultimately serve customers better.

“We’ve got a change in the nature of leadership. A culture change around risk and an attitudinal change around service is going to be crucial.”

Risk is part of the process

There is no such thing as a perfect decision.  

“Certainty very rarely arrives. And certainly never arrives on time.” Kirsty Nellany

Leaders need to manage risk better and part of that is the decision-making process. Kirsty Nellany shared a great framework she uses:

1. Is the decision reversible? How easily can we reverse? And what would the consequences of that be?
2. Can we cope/survive if we’re wrong?
3. What evidence would change the decision? Can we get it, and when can we get it?
4. What do we miss out on if we do nothing?

Leaders are made, not born

This is true in two senses –the training required for leadership and promotions to leadership. Excellence in one specific role doesn’t always translate to leadership excellence for that team.  

“I don't think we give enough training when it comes to management skills at all, and we expect people just to fall into it and be perfect.” Laura Sandys

“Leadership is a muscle, and it needs to be worked on, and it needs to be flexed all of the time, in order for it to grow.” Louise Willumsen

“We all look to develop as people. So we should look to develop as leaders, too.” Mark Hewett

Equally, once a leader has the skills and aptitude to develop, they don’t have to be a subject expert anymore. Cathy pointed out she had never worked in distribution networks before securing her leadership role at National Grid. She had her doubters but she soon proved them wrong.

“Any great leader should be able to be picked up and dropped into any industry, into any role, with any list of objectives, and lead a team effectively. Whether they know the low-level detail or not. Understanding of the operation will grow, but the leadership muscle is what you can take and put anywhere.” Louise Willumsen

Leaders learn from others

All our panel members shared their stories of success and failure, which made them the leaders they are today. They did this willingly to warn others about the potential pitfalls. Much of what they learned were hard decisions, but learning from others is a core skill of any leader, regardless of experience. Indeed, we designed the webinar to do just that and support developing leaders, as host Connor Innes said:

“We want to connect people. We want to inspire [juniors] to achieve more, to do great things. To understand what is out there in the energy system, what can be done, how are people doing it differently.”

“Leadership is a team sport, right? Look to your colleagues, look to other experts in the industry and outside of the industry, third parties. Recognise when you need to lean on a bit of that expert help.”

“Highly experienced people around you can guide and support you. Credibility is built through spending time with wider teams.”

While learning from your own team and organisation can inform deeper subject knowledge, some of the panels advocated for a more challenging approach. Looking to different industries or bringing in new perspectives to disrupt an echo chamber or a risk-averse culture.

“When I started at National Grid, I had a brilliant team, but all of my leadership team had the exact same background, and what I’ve done is brought in quite different people.”

“We don't learn enough in the utilities from other sectors about things we can adopt. These guys have been through all the mistakes. So, while it might seem a big leap for the energy sector, it's not a big leap for logistics, food, fast-moving consumer goods, etc. This has been their norm for 20 years.” Laura Sandys

All the attendees championed the use of coaches and mentors both from within your industry and external. Those who challenge you as well as support you. Mark even reflected he had “12 months of absolutely incredible coaching” from an actor when he first embarked in consulting!

For more inspiring stories and leadership advice, watch the webinar in full. Plus, you’ll get to find out their unexpected career routes into the energy industry.