145: Guide to Navigating Uncertain Times with Carole Nakhle, CEO of Crystol Energy

Andrea interviews Dr. Carole Nakhle, founder and CEO of Crystal Energy. Carole shares her inspiring journey from war-torn Lebanon to becoming a leading voice in the energy sector. She offers unique insights into navigating uncertainty, the future of energy, and the challenges facing CEOs in today's complex world.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Growing up during Lebanon's civil war taught Carole invaluable lessons in dealing with uncertainty and risk, shaping her approach to business and life.
• The energy sector is facing a complex transition, with a disconnect between political rhetoric and practical realities, especially in developing countries.
• Leadership in the energy industry requires adaptability, a deep understanding of global trends, and the ability to navigate policy uncertainties.
• Attracting and retaining talent in the energy sector demands flexibility and an understanding of changing priorities among younger generations.
• The future of energy will likely involve a complementary approach rather than a complete substitution of fossil fuels, contrary to some predictions.
• Digital technologies and AI are flattening hierarchies in organisations, creating new opportunities for rapid career advancement.
• Successful CEOs must balance long-term market trends with short-term policy uncertainties while motivating a diverse workforce.
• Embracing ambiguity and viewing it as an opportunity rather than a threat is crucial for leadership success in today's rapidly changing business environment.

BEST MOMENTS

"If you grow up in a torn civil war country, you learn how to live with risk, you learn how to live with uncertainty, and you have to be able to adapt very quickly."

"We are moving towards a greener, cleaner energy future. But for those who believe that fossil fuels are going to be dead within the next 10, 20 years, they are wrong. It's not realistic."

"My philosophy in life is that any minute you just deal with the future, it's like sailing in the fog. You cannot wait for the fog to dissipate, but you have to continue sailing until you start seeing the other side of the lake."

"When people really learn to deal with ambiguity and see ambiguity as an opportunity, rather than as an adversity, things change because you start seeing people taking more risk."

"If I'm going to shy away from what could happen, what is this, what is that? Of course, you have scenarios. But what did COVID tell us? All of our scenarios, you know, we have to ditch them and then start from scratch."

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ABOUT THE HOST

My name is Andrea Petrone. I'm a Human Performance and Leadership Advisor, Executive Coach and International Speaker. I help leaders and their teams to change their mindsets and master their leadership capabilities so they can achieve extraordinary performance. I've been in the corporate world for more than 20 years working globally - in 6 countries and 3 continents - for medium-large companies.