Harnessing the power of change
As the energy sector continues to witness a transformative shift, Faith, Manager of Business Improvement at Powerlink, shares her inspiring journey and insights into encouraging women to consider careers within this dynamic and evolving field.
Transition into energy
My career has always been about embracing new ways of doing things and managing change. From my early days in technology, financial services, civil construction, and pharmaceuticals, I consistently sought to achieve outcomes through innovation. The energy sector piqued my interest because of its potential for transformation with renewable energy technologies.
I was drawn to Powerlink because of the opportunity to influence change and be part of contributing to the energy transition and the industry as a whole. Over the years, I've witnessed a significant cultural shift, thanks to Powerlink's efforts to grow the workforce, transform the organisational culture, and build diverse and inclusive leadership capabilities, and it is here that I’ve progressed into leadership.
One of the key lessons I've learned is the importance of building credibility through relationships and personal brand, understanding the organisational dynamics, and being clear about my own personal value proposition. Refreshingly, I’ve observed a tangible shift towards valuing leadership in its own right this enables a lot of capability, alongside technical leadership.
Embracing challenge to unlock growth
Powerlink has supported my professional growth in numerous ways, from involving me in organisational strategy refreshes to supporting my Master’s degree. I've had the opportunity to work with supportive leaders and build networks with like-minded people who are also passionate about doing things differently. Additionally, visible male allyship in action is crucial in creating inclusive, collaborative teams and in amplifying women’s voices, which has also helped support my progression.
For women aspiring to advance their careers in the energy sector, my advice is to build networks with advocates and mentors by connecting with other women in the industry and making the most of industry partnerships and networks.
One of my proudest achievements at Powerlink has been establishing the innovation function, which has contributed to improving the organisation's ability to do things differently and fostering a culture of innovation, continuous improvement and business enhancements.
Staying updated with the latest trends and advancements in the energy sector is also crucial. I do this by reading articles, attending conferences, and engaging with other leaders and industry peers. Incorporating this knowledge into my leadership approach helps me effectively support my immediate teams and in coaching the organisation through change.
Advice for aspiring women leaders
Reflecting on my journey, my advice to my younger self would be not to worry so much about getting it wrong! Sometimes, when you get it wrong is when you can grow the most. Leadership challenges and difficult projects provide valuable lessons and opportunities for growth and development.
Creating and fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment is essential. It's about surfacing a common agenda, encouraging diverse perspectives, and aligning outcomes. Leadership in innovation requires getting clear on the problem you're trying to solve and bringing together a diverse stakeholder group to generate different and diverse possibilities.
Most importantly, have fun! Choose something you care about and are excited about doing. Having passion and determination and following curiosity are key to achieving success. That's what I've followed in my career, and it's helped me continue to deliver something really meaningful.