Cracking the Code: People support what they want to create
Trending
Back in my days as a corporate manager, we were working to finish a project before Christmas for a customer. I was pushing my people hard. I thought I had solid commitments until things fell apart at the last minute because we couldn't get a critical tool. My supervisor remarked, "I knew we couldn't get it done." I wasn't mad at him. I was mad at myself for pushing so hard I didn't take time to get his feedback and support early on. People support what they help to create.
As a young manager, I learned quickly I wasn't the brightest bulb. Others had experience in areas I did not. Our success came because of the expertise of others on my team. All of us together were smarter than just me or one of us. Some of our best ideas came from new employees who saw things differently and asked "Why?" Most important, when we developed a solution it belonged to everyone on the team and was supported by everyone who helped to create it. As a high school coach and business leader, I learned the key to any successful team is having a common goal that everyone buys into.
In our family, we got everyone involved in critical decisions like my promotion and transfer from Ohio to West Virginia decades ago. I had my doubts. My wife and all three kids were ready to go. Their decision surprised me because they all had close friends in Wooster and my oldest son's soccer team had just won the league championship. Their support made my decision much easier. It turned out to be a great decision for everyone. The entire family also planned our annual vacations. Everyone helped to create memorable trips we enjoyed and still talk about.
As I write this, our high school soccer team won the regional championship (its 17th) and is preparing for a trip to the state soccer tournament in Beckley this weekend. The entire team agreed to this goal back in August. It's not the coach's goal. It is the team's goal. The goal dictates everything like showing up early for practice, having a positive attitude, working hard and having fun.
Last week, world leaders met at the U.N. Climate Summit in Glasgow, United Kingdom. Delegates were asked to commit to more ambitious cuts in carbon emissions to limit global temperature rises. There was a lot of talk and promises. In my experience entrepreneurs, successful businesspeople, engineers and technicians are the people who implement workable solutions.
A U.K. lawmaker told the delegates in Glasgow, "The end of coal is in sight." Apparently, they weren't aware of the 200 GW of coal power plants being built globally and the 300 GW being planned. China alone has 184 coal plants under construction and more planned. If coal is to be replaced, a plan to replace it and still provide affordable electricity 24/7/365 is critical. Replacing coal with weather-dependent energy factories is dangerous. Places like California and Europe have high electric rates and less availability. Europe fired up coal power to meet electricity demand recently. Fortunately, they hadn't dismantled it. California is having brownouts and rolling blackouts during weather extremes. When power goes off, people suffer. Some die of exposure like we saw in Texas. Medical equipment needs 24/7 power to keep users alive. The wealthy usually have alternatives.
Decisions focusing only on climate change and not impacts to people show a lack of concern and leadership. This week at IHSMarkit's virtual Global Plastics Summit, the European Union discussed their aggressive climate plans, including a border carbon adjustment on imports. Someone asked, "Do you know what will be the impact of these measures on the people of Europe?" The speaker reflected for a few seconds and responded, "They will increase the cost of everything, especially energy."
At an earlier conference, European scientists reported on a plan to reduce CO2 emissions by reducing EU farmers' use of fertilizer and pesticide by 50 percent. After the question, "Have you considered what the impact would be on the food supply," their response was, "We really haven't considered that. However, all of our agriculture ministers are concerned about food costs and shortages if we do this." The people of Europe haven't been part of the process. If all of this is implemented, it is possible a lot of politicians and government officials will be looking for jobs. People in France took to the streets a few months ago just to protest high gasoline prices.
This isn't limited to Europe. People in Virginia have not been told how much a weather-dependent offshore wind factory will increase their electric bills. They also weren't told thousands of acres of CO2-sequestering trees are going to be clear cut to build a weather-dependent solar factory. People have a right to know what the impact of government decisions will be on their lives.
Being honest with people and involving them in the process may generate new and better solutions. It can also get their support for existing plans. If the concern is climate change at Glasgow, why didn't we hear about U.S. CO2 being down 22 percent since 2005 while global CO2 is continuing to increase? The International Energy Agency said the U.S. has reduced emissions more than any other developed country. During this same period, U.S. consumers saw their energy prices go down because of abundant natural gas. Other countries can do what we have done. Should global supply chains be eliminated in favor of regional or continental supply chains dramatically reducing emissions from ocean vessels? We can also learn from others' successes.
Leaders take time to get feedback and build support for their vision. In our family, business, athletics, developing solutions to global problems or life in general, people support what they help to create. This isn't easy. It is an important truth to remember.
***
Greg Kozera, gkozera@shalecrescentusa.com, is the director of marketing and sales for Shale Crescent USA (www.shalecrescentusa.com). He is a professional engineer with a master's in environmental engineering with over 40 years' experience in the energy industry. Greg is a leadership expert, soccer coach, professional speaker, author of four books and numerous published articles.