In this episode of Oil & Gas: Breaking Bias, Anand Jha speaks with Lance Medlin, CEO of Red Post Energy, about leadership beyond titles, entrepreneurship, and the evolving energy landscape. They discuss speed vs. structure, bias in hiring, mentorship, and how AI-driven power demand is reshaping the future of energy.

Key Takeaways

• Adaptability is essential for growth and leadership

• Speed and decision-making drive entrepreneurial success

• Bias in hiring limits access to capable talent

• Collaboration is critical in today’s energy challenges

• AI is accelerating and reshaping power demand

• Mentorship plays a key role in leadership development

• Merit and capability matter more than titles

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Lance Medlin and His Journey

06:45 Transitioning from Employee to Entrepreneur

11:35 The Unique Energy Market Landscape

18:37 Innovative Commercial Models in Energy Production

23:01 Reflections on a Career in Energy

24:11 The Importance of Mentorship

25:15 Rapid Fire Insights

27:12 Leadership Lessons from Unlikely Sources

31:23 The Future of Energy

34:48 Key Takeaways and Industry Insights

39:56 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Keywords

Lance Medlin, Red Post Energy, energy industry, entrepreneurship, mentorship, leadership, oil and gas, AI, power generation, industry biases

Leadership is shaped by perspective, not titles.

In this episode, Anand Jha and Heather Cykoski, CCO Knauf, discuss leadership beyond bias, from embracing difference as an advantage to building teams, culture, and adaptability in a changing world.

Key Takeaways

• Being different can become a leadership advantage

• Diverse teams consistently outperform homogeneous ones

• Strong leaders balance soft skills with execution

• Continuous learning keeps leaders relevant

• Self-reflection helps uncover and overcome bias

• Skills transfer across roles and industries

• Growth happens outside comfort zones

• Mentorship accelerates leadership development

• Representation inspires the next

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Heather Cykoski's Journey

03:03 Overcoming Biases in the Energy Industry

05:32 The Evolution of the Energy Sector

06:54 The Role of Female Leaders in Energy

07:41 Learning from Diverse Experiences

09:03 Transferable Skills in the Energy Sector

10:50 The Importance of Continuous Learning

13:42 Opportunities and Challenges in the Energy Industry

15:37 Investing in Self-Development

16:49 Reflecting on Career Choices

20:08 Rapid Fire Round with Heather

24:49 Key Takeaways for Aspiring Leaders

26:29 Addressing Biases in Leadership

Keywords

energy industry, female leadership, overcoming bias, transferable skills, continuous learning, AI in energy, diversity in teams, personal growth, professional development, mentorship

In this conversation, Swapan Kataria, co-founder and CEO of Crown LNG, shares insights on the shifting role of natural gas in the global energy landscape. He highlights the urgency of agile decision-making, the drag of bureaucratic hurdles, and the importance of embracing youth perspectives to drive innovation. Swapan also showcases Crown LNG’s pioneering solutions to energy access challenges, emphasizing how energy availability fuels job creation and broader economic growth.

Takeaways

Gas is not going to be the 100% product for energy mix.

Without excess energy, large industries cannot thrive.

Bureaucracy hinders the growth of industries.

Listening to youth can break biases in decision-making.

Quick decision-making is crucial in business.

Crown LNG aims to innovate in the LNG market.

Energy availability creates jobs and drives industry growth.

The energy industry is resilient and will continue to evolve.

Focus on long-term goals rather than short-term gains.

Understanding market dynamics is essential for success.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Swapan Kataria and Crown LNG

03:56 Breaking Biases in the Energy Sector

06:49 The Journey from Trading to LNG

09:36 Innovative Solutions for Harsh Environments

12:17 Crown LNG's Unique Market Position

15:04 Challenges in the Global Energy Market

17:56 The Future of LNG and Energy Transition

21:19 The Future of Energy: Gas and Renewables

24:14 Navigating Industry Challenges and Opportunities

26:52 Personal Journey and Growth in the Energy Sector

29:39 Learning from the Younger Generation

32:40 Decision-Making in Business

35:22 Key Takeaways for Success in the Energy Industry

Keywords

energy mix, natural gas, LNG, bureaucracy, industry growth, youth empowerment, decision-making, innovation, global energy challenges, energy accessibility, oil and gas