How to Be an Optimist

In last week’s Both True, Another Damned Learning Moment, I described the relentless optimism of oil and gas executives charged with real sustainability work. Case in point: the guest on the latest episode of the Energy Thinks Podcast, Albert Girgis. Albert is head of growth and part of the New Ventures practice at EQT, America’s largest natural gas producer. The New Ventures team develops, supports, acquires, and invests in low-carbon solutions that enhance EQT’s business. Like his boss, Toby Rice, Albert is unapologetically bold in his vision for the role EQT will play in the world’s energy future.

What you’ll find compelling: how Albert finds stability in what is inherently a cyclical industry, along with the grit and conviction he says you need to see through ambitious, future-oriented plans. It’s so easy for an energy leader to get lost in the short-term pendulum of commodity price fluctuations and public sentiment changes. Albert’s advice: Lean into the unique traits of our workforce that make us so well suited to carry out our ambitions for the energy future.

Some of Albert’s insights On the role of meaning in our work: “One of the things that get me excited about working at EQT is being driven by purpose every day: unleashing U.S. LNG. Our [company’s] purpose is to help others by providing energy security and lower emissions around the world.”

On EQT’s New Ventures edge: “What differentiates us is conviction. It’s going to take time for ESG initiatives to come to fruition. If you don’t have a long-term vision, you will fail. We really think about how to sustain initiatives for the long term.”

On EQT’s commitment to “radical transparency”: “We are laser focused on making sure that our own house is in order before we help others reduce their emissions. The first thing we did was reduce our own emissions by replacing over 9,000 pneumatic devices. Nobody asked us to do this. It took us about two years and $28 million, but that reduced our emissions by 50 percent.”

On a key element of running a new ventures team: “Defining what we're going to look at and what we're not going to look at up front is really important for the success of a new ventures team.”

Want more insight into real sustainability?

At Adamantine, we’re passionate proponents of taking the long view to lead into the energy future. Reach out to Adamantine to schedule your consultation and learn how we can help you create a real sustainability strategy that helps you generate long-term value.

To gritty resilience!

Tisha