I am NOT…

My team is NOT…

My company is NOT…

My industry is NOT…

Clearly defining who you ARE requires defining who you are NOT.

In this post-conclave episode of The Energy Detox, you'll learn how a theological concept called via negativa can help you sharpen your message, protect your credibility, and shut down false narratives.

#ConsciousLeadership #PositiveEnergy #PopeLeoXIV

Inspired by Energy Transfer’s recent “That’s Gas!” commercial—where a narrator pops up in everyday situations to inform unsuspecting folks that the products they’re using are made with natural gas—Episode 112 of The Energy Detox challenges you to spot everyday examples of leadership and say (to yourself or others), “That’s leadership!”

To see the Energy Transfer video, visit: https://energytransferfacts.com/blog/energy-transfers-new-ad-is-a-lighthearted-look-at-natural-gas-in-everyday-life/

#ConsciousLeadership

The second Friday of each new year is Quitters Day.

And there is no better way to mark the occasion than by consciously quitting (qWitting) poor leadership habits that are holding you and your team back from long-term success.

By many measures, the energy industry is losing.  It’s losing momentum, relevance, and plenty of money.

And more importantly, it’s losing the current and future talent necessary to generate any meaningful and sustainable recovery.

So the question for current energy leaders today isn’t merely how best to streamline operations, clean up the balance sheet, and ride things out until market conditions improve.  It’s how to ensure that the people executing on whatever strategy is set forth remain engaged, confident, and proud of an industry that has contributed so much to the health and well-being of the planet, regardless of increasing attempts to “cancel” fossil fuels.

So, in today’s episode of The Energy Detox, you’ll jump into the shoes of a football coach whose team is losing by two touchdowns at half-time.  And you’ll ask yourself whether you’re currently doing things that are helping your team recover from this deficit and emerge victorious…or whether you’re doing things that are more likely to have your star players checked out and thinking about the next game, the next season, or perhaps an entirely different sport.

Do you ever feel like your time and energy are escaping over a bridge to nowhere?

Have you ever considered yourself as CEO…of yourself?

And do you ever desire to proactively set off a few targeted charges to avoid an uncontrolled explosion later on?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions…or if you just want to understand the benefits of having a team meeting where you’ll address each different version of yourself, then we invite you to enjoy this episode of The Energy Detox podcast.

In this episode of The Energy Detox podcast, we reveal a different type of PPE that will protect your prior successes without becoming a barrier to continued progress.

And we’ll also demonstrate the universal value of a “safety mindset” that can be gained by asking three simple questions:

1) What is actually worth protecting?

2) Am I falling victim to a false sense of security?

3) What hazards can I influence…and which ones are outside of my control?

And, finally, if you're unwittingly investing too much time trying to predict and prevent the hazards that will limit your success instead of spending time improving your ability to respond when things inevitably don't go as planned, we’ll also help you strengthen your adaptability in the face of challenges so that you can take the decisive action expected of great leaders. 

At this point in your life, you are well aware that failures and mistakes are necessary building blocks for long-term success.  You have countless experiences to prove that the “best laid plans…often go awry.”  And you know that seemingly straightforward data can often be misleading and shouldn’t always be taken at face value.

So why do you instinctively assume that bad results mean that the decision that led to those results was also bad?  Why does your embrace of “extreme ownership” and your “no excuses” attitude prevent you from acknowledging the fact that sound decisions sometimes lead to poor results?

In this episode of The Energy Detox, we encourage you to generate more confidence in your leadership and in the decision-making abilities of you and your stakeholders by keeping one question front and center: “Do the results speak for themselves?”

In this second part of our "authentically fraudulent" conversation, host Joe Sinnott encourages you to move beyond the typical "personal brand building" exercises that we're all encouraged to do and instead spend time crafting an autobiography of sorts...even if you're the only one who will ever read it.


Because as polished as your social media presence and content might be, and as impressive as your resume and LinkedIn profile are, nothing is going to drive you forward more effectively and confidently than carrying with you a deep understanding of the authentic experiences from your own life that set you apart from others.

There’s one F-word that makes people shudder in corporate America, and it’s not the same one your grandmother might shake her finger at.  The word is “fraud,” and embracing it now doesn’t mean you’re headed to jail.  In fact, it could mean you’re headed to a much more satisfying and sustainable life.

Using a personal story of self-discovery, host Joe Sinnott explores how some layoff-induced (or quarantine-induced) reflection can determine whether you’ve been living a “fraudulent” existence, while asking challenging questions to make sure the labels you’re giving yourself or others don’t limit opportunities for future success.

Even though the Law of Capture allows you to drain your neighbor’s oil reservoir, at current prices you’d probably be interested in stealing something much more valuable.

And given the stress and pressure than many people are under today, one would argue that few things are more valuable and precious than our figurative energy, which can quickly be drained by others if we’re not careful.

As leaders, it’s critical not only to be on guard against your own energy being depleted, but to carry a heightened awareness of how you might be impacting others…especially those whose limited energy might already trend negative.

In this episode, we use the Law of Capture to help boost your “energy awareness,” to increase the ways you can help yourself and others regain energy, and to turn negative energy into something productive and beneficial.

Do you feel pressure to eliminate every ounce of "non-productive time" from your life?

Do you feel guilty for not making this quarantine "the most productive period ever?"

Do you feel forced to start sacrificing existing things on your schedule to fulfill someone else's agenda?

If any of those are true, we encourage you to embrace the non-productive time in your life, to get rid of the notion that this period of isolation is some kind of "use it or lose it" opportunity you're missing out on, and to make believe someone is giving you an extra hour each day to be used however you wish.

And in this episode, we discuss how a simple exercise can ensure that you stay firmly in control of the decisions you make about your time without unwittingly following the impractical advice and suggestions and examples that the rest of the world might be tossing in your direction during these already stressful times.

Are you unwittingly locking yourself, your teams, or your families into agreements that severely limit your ability to survive…let alone thrive?

In today’s episode of The Energy Detox, we challenge you to uncover all the ways that you and those around you may be operating under outdated contracts that—like firm transportation agreements—may no longer work for all parties, that may severely curtail the chances of producing sustainable success, that can increase the odds of figurative bankruptcy, and that will cause you to stand there asking, “Did I really sign up for all of this?”

Are you unwittingly missing opportunities to build stronger and more meaningful connections with others, especially right now when your professional relationships are as important as ever?

In today’s episode of The Energy Detox, we address the single most important LinkedIn tip to consider when requesting a new connection, and we use that piece of advice to drive a deeper discussion on the importance of continued personal engagement by leaders, both in good times and in bad.

And with apologies to the American Petroleum Institute, we also introduce a different kind of “API Standard” and encourage you to regularly make A Personal Invitation—A.P.I.—to connect not only to people you don’t know on LinkedIn (or on eHarmony), but also to those with whom you already have a professional relationship.

Resources:


LinkedIn Tip: Always make use of the 300 characters LinkedIn gives you to personalize your connection request.  If you’re looking for some inspiration, you can find many examples and free templates online, including from this website.

LinkedIn Instructions: Click here for official instructions on how to include your pickup line/personal invitation.

LinkedIn Warnings: If you are using a computer to access LinkedIn, the only way to add a personalized note with your connection is by choosing Connect from the person’s profile page.  If you click “Connect” from anywhere else (including when LinkedIn offers suggested connections), you will not have a chance to add a note.

If you are using the LinkedIn App, you must navigate to the “Personalize Invite” option from the person’s profile page and should not simply click “Connect.”

API Casing Connections:  Click here for some technical details about API connections for casing.


API Gravity Information: Click here to learn more about how all barrels of oil—just like all professional connections—are not created equal.

Look up, step out from your echo chamber, challenge your assumptions, don't limit your giving to the holiday (and mandatory performance appraisal) season, and tune in to episode 102 of The Energy Detox podcast.

As a leader, are you fully conscious of how impactful your words and actions can be on those who are closest to you, be they personal or professional connections?

Just as the impacts of interference between neighboring wells has taught those in the oil and gas industry to be aware of the operational impacts of spacing wells too close together, the coronavirus has clearly shown us how easy it is to unwittingly spread harm to those around us, directly and indirectly leading to societal health, safety, and economic disruptions.

Through these two very real and relevant scenarios, this podcast challenges you to increase your understanding and awareness of how your approach as a leader can have drastic impacts—both positive and negative—on stakeholders and how asking some simple questions of yourself can be the difference between sustained success and getting knocked offline.

How do you maintain engagement, sustain momentum, and avoid unwittingly adding to the fear, stress, and confusion of your personal and professional stakeholders during times like this?

The answers to this question are rarely found on an outdated roadmap, in the advice of expensive consultants, or that same “gut feeling” that has steered you through past challenges, but through a practical and simple “Leadership GPS” approach that helps you (G)row, (P)rotect, and (S)ustain success for you, your organization, and your family in good times and in bad.

It’s not high-tech, it doesn’t rely on satellites, and it’s not going to help you find the nearest store with a supply of toilet paper, but this podcast episode will challenge you to ask yourself relevant long-term questions as you navigate today’s unrelenting challenges.

Despite what the name might imply, The Energy Detox doesn’t help you cleanse your body after St. Patrick's Day celebrations or help you go green and reduce your reliance on petroleum-based energy.

It does, however, blend oilfield themes and current events into relatable discussions to help you lead your way through the intense and sometimes toxic challenges of today's oil & gas industry.

The Energy Detox provides you with practical and realistic tools to identify and avoid barriers that can quickly and easily rob you of energy, of optimism, and of confidence in your ability to achieve long-term sustainable success for you, your team, and your family.

In this episode, host Joe Sinnott discusses how we serve the men and women of the oilfield, what you can expect from future episodes, and why our unique approach challenges you to lead more confidently, effectively, and consistently regardless of the mounting threats inside and outside of our industry.

Are people REALLY altering their Thanksgiving plans due to politics?

Regardless of the answer, Episode 101 of The Energy Detox translates lessons from the 2024 election into 9 apolitical questions you can use to avoid the "peaceful silence" that may be damaging your reputation, your team, and your organization.

Celebrate Election Detoxification Day with Episode 100 of The Energy Detox podcast, which lays out two tools that can help you better manage the toxicity faced by oil & gas leaders (...or pretty much anyone subjected to the last several months of election-related toxicity).

#ConsciousLeadership

Are oil & gas workers "fearless" or simply desensitized by constant employer & industry surprises?

Are fear-focused campaign ads (and fear-focused management styles) a sign of desperation?

Are Marcellus-based external affairs teams the ideal model of how industry leaders can address fears and division among their internal stakeholders?

To answer these questions, check out this #Halloween episode of The Energy Detox.

#ConsciousLeadership

Range Resources and Weird Al Yankovic have at least two things in common:

💡 On October 23, 2024, Range Resources celebrates the 20th anniversary of their groundbreaking Marcellus frac, and the world celebrates the 65th birthday of Weird Al Yankovic.

💡 Both Range and Weird Al are undoubtedly pioneers—although some might question those claims. [See "Range Resources Responds To Magnum Hunter’s Marcellus Claim" from Hart Energy: https://www.hartenergy.com/opinions/range-resources-responds-magnum-hunters-marcellus-claim-119623]

That being said, Episode 98 of The Energy Detox will reinforce a leadership lesson you're almost certainly aware of...but may not be fully implementing: the specific words you use can—and will—shape your credibility, impact, and legacy.

For more on this topic, give a listen to Weird Al's "Word Crimes," which was released on July 15, 2014, a few days before Range Resources responded to the Marcellus "word crimes" that were uttered on stage during Hart Energy's 2014 DUG East Conference:

https://youtu.be/8Gv0H-vPoDc?si=Y5JNXDokx0nUblAY

This company pioneered the Marcellus with its frac of the Renz #1 well in October 2004.

What is Range Resources?

To honor 20 years of shale development that helped save Western PA from economic jeopardy, this Jeopardy!-inspired episode of The Energy Detox asks 20 questions that 1) highlight the story of the first Marcellus frac, and 2) provide practical ways to unleash the full potential of your stakeholders.

Just because you work in a roller-coaster-esque industry doesn’t mean your leadership style needs to be filled with twists and turns and surprises.

So, take a few minutes to be inspired by the odd sight of a Ferris wheel in the middle of a bridge and ask yourself these three questions:

💡 Do you lead others with the consistency, reliability, and predictability of a Ferris wheel or the dramatic, uncertain, and potentially nausea-inducing nature of a roller coaster?

💡 What are all the ways you can help others take greater advantage of the opportunities associated with their current level on the corporate Ferris wheel and, in turn, avoid wasting all your energy on what might be a short-sighted focus on getting to the top?

💡 Why does your company continue to invest in short-term "thrills" to boost morale and engagement instead of long-lasting leadership development resources that generate sustained impact...like the sustained impact that George Ferris' wheel has had for the past 130 years or the sustained impact that Range Resources first Marcellus frac has had for the past 20 years?

#ConsciousLeadership

When you hear the name Expand Energy, what's the first thing that comes to mind?

A) "If you're talking about the company HQ'd in OKC, then I'll always call them Chesapeake."
B) "They're the largest natural gas producer."
C) "That's Aubrey McClendon's company."
D) "Didn't they rise from massive debt and bankruptcy to dominance like some kinda phoenix?"
E) "They are expanding critical energy to markets in need, addressing one of the greatest threats to human prosperity."

Regardless of your answer, the real question to ask yourself today is:

"When people hear MY name, what's the first thing I want them to think?

And once you've answered that, ask yourself:

"What am I doing to make sure people actually DO think what I want them to when they hear my name—or the name of my team, department, or company?"

To help you answer those questions, Episode 95 of 'The Energy Detox' weaves together a few Pittsburgh-related headlines:

💡 Today's CHK/SWN consummation, which just made Pittsburgh-based EQT the "former largest natural gas producer in the U.S."
💡 Yesterday's death of Pete Rose, who earned the first of his 4,256 hits against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1963
💡 Today's announced $16 Billion deal between ADNOC and Covestro, which has its North American HQ in the Pittsburgh region.

What can we do to create a Natural Gas epidemic?

What small steps can we take to boost the stickiness of our industry's message?

And how can you—as an individual leader—overcome the natural immunity of your stakeholders so that they infect countless others with knowledge of the differentiated value you generate?

Inspired by the Marcellus Shale Coalition's SHALE INSIGHT® 2024 conference, 400 bottles of maple syrup, and Malcolm Gladwell's Tipping Point, Episode 94 of The Energy Detox will help you answer those three questions.

Comment with all of your suggestions on how we can build upon an already strong shale story to reach a "tipping point" where the undeniable benefits of natural gas become common knowledge among policymakers and their constituents.

#ConsciousLeadership

EPSIODE PAGE: https://www.wittingpartners.com/the-energy-detox/sticky-natural-gas

Most meetings? Unremarkable.

Most resumes? Forgettable.

Most leaders? Replaceable.

Most LinkedIn posts? Unbearable.

Agree?

Then check out this Arbor Day episode of The Energy Detox that challenges you to follow the path of differentiated energy leaders who stand out in a forest of mediocre managers by continually asking:

"How can we make this the best ____________ ever?"

Did you know that maple syrup inspired the first commercial natural gas well drilled in the world? [Note: While some point to the Fredonia, NY gas well of the 1820s as the “first commercial natural gas well,” it was actually dug by hand—not drilled. Moreover, the Fredonia well did not produce gas at the scale, volume, or pressure necessary for long-distance transport.]

Did you know that the Haymaker brothers who drilled the well were in search of oil, not gas?

Did you know that there are two cocktails inspired by natural gas that can serve as refreshing reminders of how you can be a more effective leader?

Did you know that attendees of the Women’s Energy Network Shale Insight 2024 Happy Hour had an opportunity to not only enjoy those two cocktails for free, but to also bring home bottles of maple syrup produced in Murrysville, PA—home of the Haymaker well?

What's a bigger risk to your company and your industry:

A) Settling for conventional, generic, uninspiring management tips and tricks that follow the stale script of some supposed #leadership guru who has little to no idea what you actually do; or

B) Embracing unconventional, differentiated, proven approaches designed to address the unique challenges that you, your team, your company, and your industry face?

Regardless of your answer, this episode of 'The Energy Detox' will boost your odds of becoming a more conscious, trusted, and effective leader by laying out a set of tools inspired by the #UnleashUSLNG campaign that EQT Corporation's Toby Rice will be discussing at this week's PIOGA Spring Meeting, during which PIOGA may very well stand for (P)roducers (I)lluminating (O)fficials' (G)ambling (A)dditions (...with regard to #energy policy).

That being said—and no matter what the future of Liquified Natural Gas looks like here in the United States—remember that you have a duty to Unleash (U)nconventional, (S)ustainable (L)eaders...(N)ot (G)amblers.

Although shale energy development has created countless worldwide winners, only one person won the 2024 #WorldShaleEnergyDay sweepstakes.

That being said, this LIVE episode of 'The Energy Detox' kicks off by drawing that lucky winner.

Then we dive into the challenge of sustaining the winning performance of envy-inducing, high-horsepower teams in the high-pressure world of #energy.

So, tune in for some practical tools you can employ to manage the fracture-inducing burnout and jealousy that winning teams often have to navigate.

To learn more about the 2024 World Shale Energy Day giveaway, the 75th anniversary of the first commercial fracs, and the list of unique prizes that are going to leave a lot of non-winners green with envy, be sure to head over to https://ShaleShamrock.com

Why would you lead your team to overtime if you have a chance to win in regulation?

That's essentially the question posed by Chris Wright and his Liberty Energy team in this year's "Bettering Human Lives" report, which 1) outlines the proven playbook that's already led 1/8th of the world ("the lucky one billion") to "lifestyles that would make Louis XIV envious" and 2) asks why world leaders would choose to play a new game when victory over #energy poverty is at hand.

That being said, this episode of 'The Energy Detox' weaves together insights from Liberty's unique ESG report, Super Bowl XVIII, and Vladimir Putin's recent interview with Tucker Carlson to help you better articulate your team's prior victories and better define what future victory looks like for you and your stakeholders.

#SustainableLeadership

Episode 89 of The Energy Detox weaves 5 hit songs from the sexagenarian Queen of Pop into 5 questions you can ask to better bridge generational gaps and avoid allowing yourself or others to prematurely "take a bow."

"Like a Prayer" - Do seasoned veterans in oil and gas have a prayer when it comes to seeking employment or advancing in their careers?

"Material Girl" - Are you able to quantify your non-material value for existing or potential employers?

"Vogue" - How can you proactively debunk the label of being an "old school worker that is stuck in your ways?"

"Like a Virgin" - What advice would you give your younger self on day one in the energy industry?

"Papa Don't Preach" - How can you model authentic curiosity regardless of how much knowledge and experience you have?

Have you heard so many repetitive references to the geopolitical, environmental, and economic benefits of #LNG that you and Punxsutawney Phil are about ready to drive off a cliff?

If so, take a break from the tired talking points and enjoy this Groundhog Day episode of The Energy Detox.

Are you bothered when someone refers to a "negative" temperature?

Or is that just an odd pet peeve of some people (or of one person)?

Either way, a North American cold snap not only inspires the sharing of that temperature-related pet peeve in this Calgary-based episode of 'The Energy Detox,' but also sparks a conversation about a pet peeve that's likely having a negative impact on your organization:

Generic Leadership

"HARMFUL FOSSIL FUELS"

If you discovered those words strung together in your child's news magazine, what would you do to address this apparent instance of fossil fuel fear-mongering that could limit a child's ability to think critically?

Similarly, what steps would you take if you found evidence that a fear-based culture is hindering your team's ability to grow, develop, and innovate?

To help you answer those questions, this Halloween episode of 'The Energy Detox' leverages both today's fear-fueled holiday and recent fossil fuel news to guide you through a 3-step leadership approach:

1 - IDENTIFY signs of fear by "flipping through your company's (figurative) magazines"

2 - ADDRESS fear-inducing #leadership behaviors by communicating directly with your stakeholders

3 - CORRECT past issues and establish a future plan that minimizes the risk of fear undermining your organization

Related Content:

“Squashing Lantern Flies & Energy Lies”

“What's more toxic: fossil fuels or C-SPAN?”

“Why are you banning fuel sources that could re-energize your organization?”

“No, Your Gas Stove is Not Haunting Your House”

"Suppressing good news is scaring our kids witless"

Ever wonder why SHALE INSIGHT® is always written in ALL CAPS?

Could it be that the Marcellus Shale Coalition has cleverly concealed a 12-word acronym within the name of its flagship event?

Either way, this post-conference episode of The Energy Detox podcast attempts to unearth S.H.A.L.E. I.N.S.I.G.H.T. leadership themes letter-by-letter, leaving you with 12 questions inspired by the 2023 slate of speakers:

(S)ustainability: Am I unwittingly undermining my attempts to seek sustainable solutions by employing off-putting headlines and stale talking points?

(H)umanity: Is my focus on intermediate goals and metrics causing my team, company, or industry to unwittingly ignore the No. 1 benefit of clean, affordable, reliable energy: helping human beings realize their full potential?

(A)udience: How well do I actually understand—or remember—who my audience is and what they actually need?

(L)egacy: In what ways am I unwittingly ignoring opportunities to pass along my knowledge to future generations of energy industry leaders?

(E)nvironment: Am I too scared to "clear the air" when toxic—and often false—narratives overtake my organization...or am I too ignorant to realize that such toxic narratives even exist?

(I)nnovation: Am I unwittingly stifling a potentially transformative step change—like Range's development of the first Marcellus well nearly 20 years ago—and instead encouraging my team to settle for safe, incremental improvements?

(N)etworking: How much time am I wasting complaining about silos within my organization and fantasizing about "tearing down silos" instead of simply finding creative—and perhaps easy—ways to connect those silos together?

(S)afety: Is my company missing opportunities to arm company men and other frontline leaders with the practical tools necessary to drive an effective safety culture in the field? [For more on the importance of front-line leadership, check out “Workers’ Perception of Leader Intelligence, Safety Climate, and Safety Participation in the Oil & Gas Extraction Industry” by Slippery Rock University’s Dr. David Renz, who was a part of the SHALE INSIGHT® 2023 University Research Showcase]

(I)mpact: Am I unwittingly allowing my attention to drift towards unnecessarily complicated strategies and, in turn, losing sight of tangible, local opportunities to make a sustainable impact on my most valued stakeholders?

(G)rowth: Am I leveraging existing resources that are capable of fueling efficient, sustainable growth...or am I allowing myself to be distracted by external "solutions" that cost unnecessary amounts of time, money, and energy.

(H)ub: What are the cultural or communication barriers preventing my message from flowing to others and preventing the valuable insights of others from flowing to me—that is, am I acting as a leadership "hub" or a disconnected manager? [For some hydrogen hub leadership content, see “What do a Hydrogen Hub, an Olympic Village, and a Sustainable Leader have in common?”]

(T)ransparency: How often do I miss opportunities to showcase the tremendous work of my team and—perhaps more importantly—the end results of projects we asked other teams to complete?

BP's CEO Resigns. Gas Prices Skyrocket. And New Jersey Drivers Still Don't Pump Their Own Gas.

What's the connection among those headlines?

Well, they're all fuel for thought on the hidden costs of self-serve leadership.

And they provide a perfect excuse to ask yourself these four questions:

1 - Am I unwittingly signaling that I've got it all figured out?
2 - What's the true ROI of the time and #energy I spend on self-help resources?
3 - Are my company's internal L&D efforts actually hindering #leadership sustainability?
4 - Are "full-service" third-party coaching resources merely filling me up with nice-sounding — but impractical — tools?

To help answer these questions, join NJ native Joe Sinnott as he pumps gas at a BP in PA — a state with some of the highest hidden fuel costs.

Energy is at the core of developed societies.

Feedback is at the core of developed leaders.

Those two core truths converge on Route 50 in Avella, PA, site of Episode 110 of The Energy Detox podcast, which draws on:

1) The 50-50-50 Energy Corps vision announced by EQT’s Toby Rice and Dr. Scott Tinker last month at CERAWeek—50 MWh and $50K GDP per capita within 50 years to lift people out of energy poverty and help them thrive.

2 - The Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village—a reminder of how people in North America lived, but didn’t necessarily thrive, for most of the last 19,000 years without modern energy.

The result is a 50-50-50 feedback challenge that pushes you—and other energy leaders—to consciously give and request 1 piece of feedback each day for the next 50 days—so that you and your stakeholders don't just survive...but thrive.

For more information (and to download a simple feedback challenge tracking sheet), visit: https://Feedback50.com

PA's spotted lanternfly infestation hasn't been blamed on frac'ing...yet.

But when the media (inevitably) does report (one-sidedly) on some kind of (flimsy) link, are you and your fellow industry leaders ready to squash yet another onslaught of #energy lies as enthusiastically as kids across PA have been squashing lanternflies this summer?

If your answer is no, then check out this episode of 'The Energy Detox,' which uses the "Kill it! Squash it, smash it" campaign from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to help arm you and your stakeholders with the tools necessary to eradicate (figurative) spotted lanternflies that are wreaking havoc inside and outside of your organization.

To learn more about the figurative lanternflies that inspired this episode—those being the recently released Pitt health and environment studies—check out the Marcellus Shale Coalition's latest blog, which demonstrates how to effectively stomp out media misrepresentations that, if left unchallenged, could be even more damaging than the real lanternflies: https://marcelluscoalition.org/2023/08/25/pitt-studies-contain-serious-methodological-flaws/

Summary of the 4 tools outlined in the episode:

1) Squash lanternflies head-on: Address misleading narratives or misconceptions directly. Like spotted lanternflies—which can’t jump to the back or side—they will escape the bottom of your foot unless you attack them from the front.

2) Seek, demand, and utilize good data about lanternfly whereabouts: Don’t assume that an occasional employee engagement survey or town hall meeting is revealing everything you need to know about the location and severity of toxicity within your organization.

3) Make good use of internal and external predators: Ally with trusted, knowledgeable resources who can hunt out lanternflies and help you construct innovative control methods.

4) Require and demonstrate universal responsibility: Nobody—including you and other leaders—is exempt from the responsibility of squashing lanternflies; and if you’re not demanding that everyone takes actions to protect the integrity of your organization, then you risk having an irreversible infestation.

#ConsciousLeadership

🤢 You may not have soaked your audience in human waste today...but there's a good chance your words & actions have unwittingly made a few of your stakeholders nauseous in the last 24 hours.

So take a moment to dive into this conversation about the "Dave Matthews Band Chicago River incident" of August 8, 2004 and apply 5 tips from today's vomit-inducing anniversary that will help you shift your #leadership style from nauseating to energizing:

1) Avoid Toxic Communication Dumps: From late-night, non-urgent email requests to evasive-sounding conversations filled with hollow "corporate-sounding" clichés, the easiest way to mitigate the impact of toxic communication releases is to avoid them in the first place

2) Lay Proper Containment: If you don't stop the ripple effect of toxic rumors among your gossiping front-line leaders, it can cause far more damage than a leaking pipeline or an overflowing tank

3) Filter and Rate Your Communications: Revisit your recent emails, meetings, phone calls, etc. and give them an emoji-based "nausea rating" from 1 to 5, where 1 nauseated face (🤢) represents minimal vomit-inducing language; 5 nauseated faces (🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢) is on par with dumping 800 pounds of human waste on an unsuspecting group of tourists; and 2 to 4 nauseated faces represent ~90% of LinkedIn posts.

4) Translate Toxic Messages: transform corporate fluff into relevant and actionable messages BEFORE your audience starts coming up with their own (mis-)translations

5) Clean Up Your Messes: Whether it's a band who dumps human waste into a river, an #oilandgas company who has an inadvertent release, or a manager who suffers a flare-up of foot-in-mouth disease, owning up to mishaps and rectifying them swiftly gives you a chance to avoid leaving a permanently bad taste in stakeholders' mouths.

#ConsciousLeadership

How can the art of pitch framing help your leadership performance stay above the Mendoza Line?

Find out in this West Coast edition of The Energy Detox podcast.

Only YOU Can Prevent (Corporate) Wildfires...

...by following these 4 Smokey-inspired #leadership tips:

1 - Speak the same language as your audience, NOT in easily dismissed or ignored talking points. For example, when speaking to an environmentalist about headlines linking fossil fuels and Canadian forest fires, acknowledge their disappointment regarding the millions of acres of lost trees...and calmly point out that you'd need to burn 3-4 million acres of forests per year to generate the same amount of energy the United States produces from #naturalgas.

And when trying to convince a high-potential job candidate that early career, in-person work is more beneficial than remote work, calculate and present the potential increase in LIFETIME earnings; and make the value of this investment crystal clear.

2 - Manage excessive "fuel loads" in your team. Regularly clear out rumors, uncertainties, and unresolved issues that may be causing stress or confusion.

3 - Ensure effective "fire suppression" by giving people the space they need to execute, clearly defining roles and responsibilities, and avoiding micromanagement.

4 - Eliminate the "diseases and insects" leading to large areas of dead and dying wood. Actively remove any toxic or unproductive elements causing decay or harm. 

As 2013 NL MVP Andrew McCutchen closes in on career hit number 2,000, another MVP (Mountain Valley Pipeline) is finally closing in on completion of its ongoing construction/permitting saga that will have taken over 2,000 days from start to TIL.

So, what can these 2 MVP milestones tell you about sustainable leadership and, more specifically, the importance of striking a balance between energy & environment?

To find out, check out this episode of The Energy Detox.

Do you spend enough time encouraging your employees to steal?

If not, check out this episode of The Energy Detox, where you'll hear:

1) how a theft-based culture can actually be the key to sustained success; and

2) why it's up to you as a leader to implement rules that make it easier for your employees to steal.

Curious where the inspiration for this unconventional #leadership advice comes from?

Well, look no further than the Pittsburgh Pirates, who have have used every tool (sword?) at their disposal—including roster construction, data analytics, and Major League Baseball's bigger bases—to lead the majors in steals and, more importantly, to lead the National League in wins.

Steal like a Pirate. Lead like a champ.

#RiskManagement #SustainableLeadership

How was Pittsburgh's Fern Hollow Bridge reconstructed so quickly?

A) Local and state government got out of the way and used emergency declarations to remove red tape that would have normally caused a project like this to take 3-4 years;

B) The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allowed PennDOT to quickly dedicate $25.3 million in federal funds to the Fern Hollow project without impacting other regional infrastructure needs; or

C) The original bridge was hauled out of the way, which meant the contractor had extra space to work and didn't have to worry about maintaining traffic flow during construction.

Regardless of how much answers 'A' and 'B' factored into the bridge's rapid reconstruction, it's answer 'C' that is most relevant as you kick off the new year.

Why?

Because you and your teams are unwittingly wasting time, #energy, and money maintaining "bridges" that need to be demolished and disposed of.

“Tangible, Impactful, Local”—the mantra of the CNX Foundation—is clearly reflected in the $1 million commitment that CNX is making to broadband expansion in Greene County.

"Tangible, Impactful, Local"—or TIL for short—also happens to be a handy leadership mnemonic you can use to determine whether you're...

1) consciously maximizing the potential of EXISTING resources (like a multi-million dollar well or pipeline or compressor station that you simply have to Turn In Line—or TIL for short); or

2) unwittingly abandoning the investments of time, money, and energy you've already made and, in turn, falling victim to some shiny new "leadership" initiative that's actually just a bunch of abstract, irrelevant, generic ideas likely to produce uninspiring and unsustainable results.

To hear more about CNX's efforts to get rural residents "online," the actions you can take to turn your investments "in line," and some of the ways in which CNX's Nick Deiuliis' consistent messaging around "connecting" and "catalyzing" tie in to this "Leadership TIL Report," check out the latest episode of 'The Energy Detox' podcast.

Oil & gas companies can't avoid industry-wide booms and busts, but they CAN avoid costly BOOMerang leadership changes due to BUSTed succession planning practices.

Tapping into some lessons from Disney's boomeranging of Bob Iger—who replaced his successor Bob Chapek yesterday—this episode of 'The Energy Detox' will help you answer these 3 succession-related questions:

1 - In what ways are you settling for a warm body or the "next-in-line" instead of proactively fighting for the best talent possible?

2 - How has the narrative about the difficulty "everyone is facing" when it comes to attracting talent (true as it may be) caused you to lower the bar, to stop thinking outside the box, and change your definition of the "ideal candidate?"

3 - What are all the ways that the time, #energy, and money wasted on rectifying failed succession planning have caused you and your team to deviate from your company's core mission?

#ConsciousLeadership #SuccessionPlanning

What Wild Things Can You Do to Build a Dominant Energy Team?

Find out in Episode 109 of The Energy Detox, which uses local, statewide, national, and global headlines connected to Washington County's #NaturalGas industry to help you answer the following questions:

1 - How can you use the recent renaming of Wild Things Park to EQT Park as an excuse to consider what you want people to think of when they see or hear YOUR name?

2 - On the heels of last year's Cecil Township setback ordinance (and de facto ban on future natural gas development) and tomorrow's presentation of a statewide setback rule (frac ban) to the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) in Harrisburg, what better time than now to ask how often you're unwittingly fueling harmful ideas that might SEEM benign at the surface?

3 - How does last week's visit to Washington County by Doug Burgum, Chair of the National Energy Dominance Council, and the comments he shared alongside leaders of Range Resources, EQT Corporation, Halliburton, and AXPC inspire you to not merely strive to lead a "winning" team, but instead to set your targets on a far more inspiring goal of achieving world-renowned, best-in-class, DOMINANT results?

4 - And speaking of results, how does last month's announced formation of the Energy Corps by Scott Tinker and Toby Rice—who reminded attendees during Sec. Burgum's visit that the development of the world-renowned Marcellus Shale began in Washington County 20 years ago—challenge you to focus on metrics that actually matter ((like lifting every human in the world up to 50 MWh and $50,000 per year in 50 years) and that can lead to some truly wild things (like eradicating energy poverty and saving the lives of 3+ million people who die each year from indoor air pollution) instead of wasting time, #energy, and money chasing fluffy, intangible metrics with minimal impact on your stakeholders?

For more info about the above news items, and for more ways to watch and listen to this episode of 'The Energy Detox' podcast:  https://www.wittingpartners.com/the-energy-detox/energy-leadership-dominance

If you are a PA resident, use this link TODAY to make your voice known on proposed setback rules:  https://marcelluscoalition.org/united-shale-advocates/take-action/natural-gas-setbacks-campaign/

To learn about the countless ways Washington County is leveraging its natural resources, check out the @WashCo Chamber website:  https://www.washcochamber.com/

And for details about differentiated, Marcellus-based, energy-focused #leadership coaching, visit oilandgascoaching.com

How many heads of state at COP27 regret signing up for failed #energy policies?

How many investors regret buying into the FTX hype?

How many voters regret casting their ballot 6 weeks before Election Day?

How many of those people have the intellectual honesty to ADMIT their mistakes instead of rationalizing and doubling down on regretful decisions?

Regardless of the answers to those questions, YOUR poor response to buyer's remorse—in business, politics, and life—can drain you of time, money, and energy. 

So please take a few minutes to ask yourself in what ways your "sunk cost leadership mindset" is unwittingly sinking your team's prospects for long-term success.

#ConsciousLeadership

How many leaders do you know who rely on "smoke & mirrors" to fool their fans into thinking their apparent success is more sustainable than it really is?

In what ways have you been fooled into thinking that bottom line results—like the potentially misleading win-loss record of an undefeated sports team—reflect actual potential and long-term viability?

How often have you fallen into the trap of parroting talking points—like the often misleading facts & figures supporting renewable energy—that, in turn, lead to short-sighted decisions?

Regardless of your answers to those questions, this episode of The Energy Detox will remind you that bottom-line results don't always speak for themselves, drawing upon 2 green history lessons from the worlds of sports & energy:

1 - Notre Dame’s 2002 “Smoke & Mirrors” football season, during which the 8-0 Fighting Irish—wearing green jerseys at home for the first time in 17 years—were upset by Boston College.

2 - Ireland’s 2022 “Smoke & Mirrors” energy policy that has caused the Irish—who are stubbornly relying on a short-sighted view of “green” energy that has led to a continued rebuke of potential LNG facilities—to be the “worst prepared country in Europe” in terms of their ability to withstand an energy crisis.

#ConsciousLeadership #ItsNotEasyBeingGreen