The latest episode of the GSC Executives podcast brought us an illuminating conversation with Claire Dykta, the Chief Strategy Officer at National Grid.
In the ever-evolving landscape of the energy sector, where the stakes involve not just economic success but the very future of our planet, leadership takes on a monumental significance.
Claire Dykta’s career trajectory is nothing short of inspiring. From her academic background in business and law, through a pivotal placement year that introduced her to the energy sector, to her current role as the CSO of National Grid, Claire’s path has been marked by thoughtful pivots and a growing commitment to addressing climate change and fostering diversity in the industry. Her story serves as a testament to the power of adaptability, perseverance, and a values-driven approach to leadership.
The Journey to Chief Strategy Officer
Claire’s initial career aspiration was to become a lawyer. However, a placement year at Transco (the national gas system operator) shifted her direction. What was intended as a one-year stint turned into a lifelong commitment to the energy sector. Claire continued working part-time during her final year at university and eventually joined Transco’s graduate scheme.
Reflecting on her journey, Claire notes how her career evolved through various roles:
- Regulatory Expert: Utilising her academic background, Claire spent the first ten years of her career specialising in regulatory matters within the energy sector.
- Operational Management: Post-maternity leave, Claire pivoted into an operational role on the electricity side of the business, managing large teams and dealing with the day-to-day challenges of keeping the lights on.
- Corporate Strategy and Transformation: Another five years saw Claire move into strategy and transformation roles, addressing broader organisational changes and aligning them with the company’s long-term goals.
- Executive Leadership: Recently, Claire took on the executive role of Chief Strategy Officer, focusing on decarbonising the energy system and driving the industry towards a more sustainable and inclusive future.
This journey highlights the importance of being open to change and seeking out new challenges, even within the same organisation. Claire’s ability to pivot and adapt has been crucial to her success.
Qualities of an Effective Leader
Claire emphasises two key qualities that she believes are essential for effective leadership: authenticity and the ability to listen.
Authenticity in Leadership
One of the most crucial aspects of leadership, according to Claire, is authenticity. She recalls the old-school leadership style, which was very directive and detached from employees. In contrast, today’s leaders need to create an environment where people feel comfortable being genuine and bringing their whole selves to work. Authenticity fosters trust, encourages open communication, and creates a more engaged and motivated workforce.
The Art of Listening
Equally important is the ability to listen. Claire asserts that the best leaders are often the quietest ones because they give others space to voice their thoughts and ideas. Listening not only helps in understanding different perspectives but also fosters an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. Moreover, it allows leaders to gather diverse opinions and collaboratively arrive at better decisions.
Female Leadership in a Male-Dominated Industry
Claire also touched upon the unique challenges and opportunities of being a female leader in the traditionally male-dominated energy sector. She credits the support and mentorship of senior female leaders early in her career as instrumental in her development. This experience has inspired her to give back and support other women in the industry, helping to pave the way for greater gender diversity at all levels.
Decarbonising the Energy System
One of the most exciting aspects of Claire’s current role is her involvement in decarbonising the energy system. This not only aligns with her personal motivations but also places National Grid at the forefront of the global push towards a sustainable future.
The Transition to a Government-Owned Entity
National Grid is undergoing a significant transformation as it transitions from a part of a large multinational group to a government-owned organisation. This transition involves not just operational changes but also a shift in strategic focus towards decarbonisation.
Claire outlines the future role of the National Energy System Operator (NESO):
- Decarbonisation: Developing and implementing plans to deliver a decarbonised energy system in Great Britain.
- Collaboration: Working with government, industry, local communities, and households to ensure that plans are actionable and widely supported.
- Technical Expertise: Leveraging the organisation’s technical expertise in operating the power system to drive the transition towards sustainability.
This vision underscores the pivotal role of National Grid in achieving the UK’s climate goals and highlights the importance of strategic leadership in navigating such profound changes.
Challenges and Achievements
Leadership in the energy sector is fraught with challenges, and Claire’s career is no exception. She shared some of the toughest decisions she’s had to make, along with her proudest achievements.
Toughest Decision: Managing Coal Power Station Closures
One of the most challenging decisions Claire faced was managing the closure of coal power stations. This involved a rapid shift in the economic viability of these stations and the realisation that they could no longer operate profitably. National Grid had to conduct a competitive process to determine which stations could remain operational.
Breaking the News
Perhaps the hardest part of this process was communicating the outcome. Claire had to deliver the bad news to senior leaders at various companies, fully aware of the implications for the workers and their families. This experience highlighted the human side of business decisions and the importance of empathy and clear communication.
Proudest Achievement: A Coal-Free Day
On a more positive note, Claire’s involvement in achieving the first 24-hour period of operation without coal was a landmark achievement. This milestone was the result of meticulous planning and coordination and set off a cascade of events leading to longer periods without coal and, ultimately, the closure of the last coal power station.
Fostering Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity and inclusion are central to Claire’s leadership philosophy. She firmly believes that a diverse workforce leads to better decision-making and innovation.
Creating Equal Opportunities
Claire stresses the importance of creating an environment where everyone feels they have equal opportunities for growth and success. This involves not just hiring a diverse workforce but also ensuring that the organisational culture supports and nurtures diversity.
Overcoming Barriers
Claire acknowledges that there are still significant barriers to achieving true diversity and inclusion, particularly in traditionally male-dominated industries like energy. She notes that flexible parental leave policies and other supportive measures are crucial in overcoming these barriers and fostering a more inclusive culture.
Long-Term Strategic Vision
Looking ahead, Claire’s long-term strategic vision for National Grid is focused on decarbonisation and driving the energy sector towards a sustainable future.
Collaboration is Key
Achieving this vision will require extensive collaboration with various stakeholders, including government, industry, local communities, and households. Claire emphasises the importance of working together to develop and implement actionable plans that benefit everyone.
Embracing Change
Claire’s vision also involves embracing change and being open to new ideas and technologies. This includes exploring innovative solutions and staying ahead of industry trends to ensure that National Grid remains at the forefront of the energy transition.
Join the Conversation
Empowering leadership in energy, as exemplified by Claire Dykta, is about more than just making strategic decisions. It’s about fostering an authentic and inclusive culture, being adaptable to change, and driving towards a sustainable future. The insights from Claire’s journey and her current role at National Grid provide a valuable blueprint for leaders in the energy sector and beyond.
Don’t miss the chance to listen to the full conversation with Claire Dykta on the GSC Executives podcast, listen to the full episode below or subscribe via Spotify, Apple, Youtube or anywhere else you get your podcasts:
This blog post is based on the GSC Executives Podcast episode “Powering Change: From Coal to Clean Energy with Claire Dykta”.
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