Powerful Women in Leadership: Learning That There Is No Single Path to Success

One of the most valuable aspects of the Powerful Women in Leadership Program is the opportunity to have honest conversations with women who have built successful careers across the energy industry. Our recent ‘Ask Me Anything’ session created exactly that opportunity, giving participants the chance to discuss leadership, career development, workplace challenges and personal growth with experienced industry leaders.

What stood out most was the message that careers rarely unfold exactly as planned.  Many of the leaders reflected that, early in their careers, they were quite rigid in what they thought success would look like. Looking back, they wished they had spent less time trying to become experts in a single area and more time building a broad understanding of the organisation and industry around them. Being curious, taking opportunities to learn about different parts of the business and remaining open to unexpected opportunities often led to some of their greatest career growth.

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Relationships were another recurring theme throughout the discussion. Whether building influence, creating visibility or establishing credibility, the panel agreed that success is rarely achieved alone. Trust is built through consistently helping others, supporting colleagues and being someone people can rely on. In many organisations, some of the strongest professional relationships are built outside formal meetings through collaboration, shared challenges and a genuine willingness to help others succeed.

The conversation also explored what it means to lead in environments that have traditionally been male dominated. Participants discussed situations where they had been interrupted, second-guessed or had their technical expertise questioned. The advice was practical and empowering: listen carefully, speak with confidence when you know your subject matter, and don't feel pressured to contribute just for the sake of speaking. Thoughtful, informed contributions build trust over time. If interrupted, it is perfectly reasonable to politely ask to finish your point.

Importantly, the panellists challenged the belief that effective leadership requires being the loudest voice in the room. Today's leaders come with many different styles. Often, calm, authentic and collaborative leaders build stronger teams because people trust them, want to work with them and feel comfortable seeking their support.

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The discussion on mentoring generated significant interest. Rather than searching for a single perfect mentor, participants were encouraged to connect with people whose skills, experiences or values they admire. Some mentoring relationships may last years, while others might be a single conversation that provides valuable insight. Professional networks, LinkedIn and workplace mentoring programs can all be excellent starting points, but preparation is key. Mentors are most valuable when conversations are purposeful and focused on learning.

Another powerful message was that careers, priorities and definitions of success naturally evolve over time. For some, fulfilment comes from technical excellence and innovation. For others, it comes from developing people, creating opportunities for future leaders and building positive workplace cultures.

The session was a valuable reminder that there is no single path to success. By staying curious, building relationships, remaining open to new experiences and leading authentically, young professionals can create careers that are both meaningful and rewarding.