This article discusses the need for innovative leadership in the global energy industry as it faces challenges from regulations, consumer demand, and environmental impacts. Innovative leaders are crucial for guiding companies through technological and cultural transitions, and understanding new opportunities from technologies like LED lighting, smart grids, and renewable energy. Successful energy companies will attract talented individuals knowledgeable about new technologies and cultivate a culture of innovation to advance the industry.

1. GREEN TECHNOLOGY | FEBRUARY | www.energydigital.com
INNOVATIVE LEADERS
WILL CARRY THE
GLOBAL ENERGY
INDUSTRY FORWARD
The need for progressive leaders will
become increasingly important in the years
ahead as the industry faces new challenges
and dynamic opportunities
Written by: Ted Konnerth,
CEO of Egret Consulting >>>
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2. GREEN TECHNOLOGY | www.energydigital.com
Global Energy Industry
T
he energy industry is and support system that best garner the knowledge of the reliant on new technologies (smart
changing rapidly — enables their talents. Technological customer and channel influences meters, DC distribution, grid
with governmental advances in the energy industry, that shape that industry. improvements, etc.), leaders must
regulations, consumer coupled with policy changes Take for example, the tide stay abreast of changes in new
demand and and environmental impacts, has of new technologies sweeping technologies and opportunities
environmental impacts that will ushered in a new era of talent through the lighting sector. The to guide their companies to
continue to grow. requirements and a new type of emergence of energy efficient pioneer and partner with like-
To change in a more sustainable leader to move companies and LED technology ushers in the minded innovative companies
and responsible manner, it is organizations involved in the global need for talented leadership to and individuals. They must also
essential to both find and mentor industry forward. guide companies through cultural be keenly aware of legislative
innovative leaders who are both transitions as channel relationships and policy issues affecting their
optimistic about the possibilities What makes an innovative begin to change. Those individuals industry.
of alternative energies and realistic leader? who are willing to conduct
about how to achieve The talent it takes to lead a business in a new way — while How organizations cultivate,
market success. company is not easily transferable still understanding how business develop and attract innovative
The energy leaders of today from industry to industry. has traditionally been done — will leaders.
and the future succeed through the Successful leaders tend to succeed. In this age where the The energy sector requires
company organizational structure specialize in their industry and energy industry is increasingly talented individuals with strength
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3. GREEN TECHNOLOGY | www.energydigital.com
Global Energy Industry
in designing, implementing and Why innovative leaders are
managing new technologies as crucial to the future of the energy
well as research and development industry
practices. The key is to identify Innovative leaders are the captains
individuals who understand the steering the ships of progress.
pace of technology and who also Sustainability and efficiency
meld well with company culture. depends on people who think and
With rapidly changing technology act with both in mind. Companies
and channel partnerships, it will with new modes of thinking with
be necessary to attract and retain products and services that change
emerging leaders who can bridge the energy industry will advance
the gap from legacy relationships it. The opportunity for substantial
to new solutions — all within an growth occurs in times of rapid
industry that has been largely change, and the industry faces
resistant to change. unprecedented changes right now.
Energy companies of the Leadership must guide
future will encourage a culture of companies in the energy industry
innovation and reward innovative through seismic shifts in the years
thinkers for their creativity and ahead. These leaders have a track
contributions to future products, record of success in forward-
customers and marketing thinking technology companies. energy leaders of the future will The leadership opportunities
concepts. Creating a company that They are executives who see embrace change and encourage within this industry are unlimited.
is a destination site for people to beyond the defined boundaries of the adoption of technology to
work provides a constant stream the past. Energy-related companies become more efficient, more Ted Konnerth is the founder,
of top tier talent to attract and are hiring chief technology reliable and more sustainable. president and CEO of Egret
change the company culture from officers and innovation officers The energy industry is Consulting Group — a retained
a traditional legacy company to an who understand how important expanding with alternative energy search firm specializing exclusively
Solar Hydrogen House in Hopewell, leader company.
innovative, market New Jersey research and development is, yet sources, new products that can in the electrical industry. Ted was
also understand the pulse of the have significant impacts on energy the global V.P., Sales for Cooper
market and end customers. C-level conservation and new approaches Lighting prior to starting Egret and
to save T&D energy losses. holds a Ph.D. in psychology.
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