American Gas - March 2012 - (Page 2)

President’s Message Lessons in Leadership Leaders must listen, search for consensus, then act and encourage others to follow. W DAve mccurDy President and ceO dmccurdy@aga.org hen I left Congress, my staff gave me a gift inscribed with a quote from Edmund Burke, “Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinion.” I have kept it on my desk ever since. When I assess someone’s leadership qualities—whether it is a CEO or the president of the United States—I look at their intellect, experience, character, vision and curiosity. I think an eagerness to learn is an important quality in a leader in this day and age. What I enjoyed most about serving in the U.S. House of Representatives was the constant opportunity to learn. I relished the chance to listen to my constituents, colleagues and world-renowned experts. My job, as I saw it, was to turn this large quantity of raw data into informed knowledge and then to turn that knowledge into actionable items. I must admit that my bias for action led to some frustration with the legislative process. In many ways, the need for action is what distinguishes business from politics. We all suffer from data overload. Countless studies and books on nearly every conceivable topic continually appear, and they come to us in an increasing variety of instantaneous formats. There is also no shortage of people willing to give you their opinion. A leader must be able to listen, search for consensus, then be prepared to take an action and encourage others to follow. That moment—the transition from information gathering to taking action—is when true leadership is exhibited. In my view, leadership is the willingness to make decisions and then be held accountable for them. That is what that quote from Burke has always meant to me: to lead you must recognize that moment and make a decision that spurs others to move forward with purpose. In this issue of American Gas, Larry Borgard, Ron Jibson, Gregg Kantor and John Somerhalder II share their thoughts on the nature of leadership in our cover story, “Leaders on Leadership,” which starts on p. 18. In addition to heading their companies, these individuals are leaders in their communities and in the natural gas industry. They have helped shape the past, present and future of the American Gas Association. Larry, Ron, Gregg and John epitomize leadership by example. Moreover, they do not ask anyone to do anything they would not do themselves. They know their customers, their businesses and our industry, and they think carefully and strategically about how to achieve success that benefits all of these areas. The natural gas industry would not be where it is today without their leadership. I have learned so much from them and know others will as well when they read about their approaches to successful leadership. Utilities have a unique opportunity to lead in their communities and this great nation. Let’s continue to learn and move forward together. 2 march 2012 AmericAn GAs

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of American Gas - March 2012

American Gas - March 2012
Contents
President’s Message
In the News
Safety First
Ask AGA
Leaders on Leadership
A Better Balance
Places to Be
Vendor News
Noteworthies
Jobline
Marketplace
Advertisers’ Index
Facts on Gas

American Gas - March 2012