The Utilities Sector: Adapt or Be Left Behind
Holly Beeston
I help Utilities focused businesses by Delivering Top Leaders I Creating Diverse and Impactful teams with the Right Talent I Passionately Empowering Women in Utilities
The utilities sector stands at a critical crossroads. While much of the focus remains on transitioning to renewable energy and achieving ambitious net-zero targets, there’s a deeper issue looming beneath the surface; a leadership void that threatens the future of the entire industry.
As executive search specialists, we’ve observed a troubling trend: utilities companies are clinging to outdated leadership models to address the seismic shifts of decentralisation, digitalisation, and decarbonisation. This reliance on traditional approaches may offer comfort, but it’s wholly inadequate for navigating the complexities of a rapidly evolving energy landscape.
As I've been quoted saying "You can't continue to do the same thing and expect different results".
The Leadership Gap: Playing It Safe Won’t Work
The pace of change in the utilities sector is accelerating, but many organisations are failing to respond with equal urgency when it comes to leadership. Here’s where the sector is falling short:
????? 1. Recycling Talent from the Same Pools
By repeatedly drawing from the same familiar networks, companies are perpetuating a lack of fresh ideas and perspectives. This approach may minimise perceived risk, but it also stifles innovation at a time when creativity and bold thinking are essential.
????? 2. Prioritising Industry Experience Over Vision
While sector knowledge is valuable, it shouldn’t come at the cost of adaptability and strategic foresight. Leaders with diverse backgrounds and a proven ability to innovate are often better equipped to tackle emerging challenges.
????? 3. Avoiding Diverse, Disruptive Hires
The most transformative voices in other industries are often those who think differently and challenge the status quo. Utilities must embrace diversity—not just in demographics, but in thought, experience, and approach—to remain competitive.
Why Disruptive Leadership is the Key
Utilities companies need leaders who aren’t afraid to take risks, challenge entrenched norms, and reimagine what’s possible. These disruptors can:
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?? ?????? Navigate regulatory and operational complexities with a forward-looking mindset.
Waiting for change to happen organically isn’t just a missed opportunity—it’s a strategy for obsolescence. The energy transition will happen with or without utilities companies leading the way. The question is: will they adapt fast enough to stay relevant?
A Call to Action
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Utilities companies must move beyond their comfort zones and prioritise hiring visionary leaders who can guide them through this era of transformation.
This shift won’t be easy, and it will require bold decision-making at the executive level. But the alternative—falling behind in an increasingly competitive and dynamic market—is far worse.
Are utilities companies ready to break the mould and embrace the leadership revolution they desperately need? Or will they risk being left behind as the energy transition accelerates?
The choice is theirs.
However, if you are a CEO, COO, CPO or HRD in the Utilities space and would like to find out more about how I can help with the transition through attracting a more diverse, dynamic and impactful leadership team that includes changemakers and innovators, then let's have a conversation. At this point, you have nothing to lose.
#UtilitiesLeadership #ExecutiveSearch #EnergyTransition #Innovation
I help CEOs, COOs, CPOs, HRDs and business leaders improve the diversity, success and retention of their new C Suite, Executive and leadership hires across the Utilities sector, providing recruitment consultancy and Executive Search services. Helping you deliver a much-improved performance and ROI. If you would like to talk more about your unique challenges and to see if I might be a future resource for you, book a call here.
???Confident speaking for women in business ???Empower your voice for success ???Transform your communication ???Avoid being overlooked
1 个月It's so important that businesses do their best to adapt as based on the last couple of years and huge growth of AI it looks like it's here to stay. It can be such a useful tool if it's harnessed in the right ways for a business or industry
Helping people lead in all aspects of life. Managing Director of Gherkin Leadership and Associate Partner of The Living Leader. Helping people and businesses be at their best.
1 个月An interesting read Holly....thank you. I'd like to add some further thoughts to support your 'need for change' message. When we lead and create an environment where people feel safe to try new stuff, we're onto something. Lets remember, there's no such thing as 'the business'. 'The business', as people often refer to it, is made up of individuals. If innovation, generation of ideas, or trying new stuff isn't the norm, that could very well be because the people are choosing to be that way. Now ask yourself why that's the case? Often it's because overly bureaucratic, outdated, autocratic leadership styles create a culture of feer and control, driven by an obsession of performance metrics. Even when businesses recruit talent, or find new innovative forward thinking partners, unless the culture of these businesses change, this new blood could soon find itself being pumped around an old body! In other words, for businesses that don't change their leadership style, there's a risk that the new talent / ideas brought into the business, soon find themselves being suppressed by the culture. I'm hoping this adds weight to the argument that change is needed. I guess my questions is how do we ensure it happens in the right place.