Work the Problem with Shawn Patterson
I wanted to talk to Shawn Patterson, president and CEO of Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, on the Energy Thinks podcast because he works for a privately held midstream company operating in a conservative part of the country. I figured I could stress-test my ideas about real sustainability work with someone likely inclined to skepticism about them—or even cynicism.
Boy, was I wrong!
All my carefully worded questions were left on the cutting room floor. Spend just five minutes with Shawn and you’ll be excited about the potential inherent in every challenge and the opportunity underlying every obstacle. I’ve been repeating his mantra in my head—“Work the problem”—ever since our interview. It’s an electrifying, contagious approach. Do yourself a favor: Listen to the episode for the full-blast version.
Some of Shawn’s insights:
On overcoming the risk of partisan politics: “The people in the middle get it all done. … Our customers and constituents expect that we’re going to make progress.”
On the energy-future opportunity in North America: “Pipe in the ground taken care of the right way is more valuable today than it ever has been. So how do we continue to look at the assets we have? Make them substance-ready, whether it’s hydrogen, natural gas, or carbon.”
On the importance of directly engaging your stakeholders: “We went at this originally thinking, ‘Okay, we understand our customers,’ and then the question I had for the leadership team is ‘But do we really? Our customers, our regulators, our state commissions—do we really understand?’”
Want more insight into real sustainability?
At Adamantine, we can help you see the wilderness of political opposition and polarization as your summer garden. Reach out for a consultation and discover how exhilarating a real sustainability plan can be.
Work it!
Tisha