Jeannie Gardner
Jeannie Gardner was in the chemical engineering office at North Carolina A&T State University, dressed in shorts and a T-shirt for tennis practice, when she was diverted to an unexpected job interview with a UOP recruiter that ended up launching her oil and gas career.
Her backhand may have suffered, but the energy industry has benefited from that sudden twist of fate. Still, she doesn’t recommend serendipity as a career strategy.
“If you have been working hard and not reaping the rewards you think you deserve, it is not wise to leave your career to fate and hope that it intervenes,” Gardner said. “You have to set your career on the right path and ensure that you and your career continue to grow. The secret in scaling that corporate ladder is to move up one rung at a time so that you can manage each step effectively.”
Gardner lists three principles that she has followed to own her career and move to the next level:
- Build your circle of advocates;
- Communicate with impact; and
- Prioritize like a CEO.
A little toughness helps, too.
“Have the strength to take risks, the confidence to deal with obstacles and setbacks and learn from failures,” she said. “Cultivate strength to deal with remarks, insults and stereotypes, while being adaptable to changing situations. Believe in yourself and be confident. Don’t measure your success by someone else; go by the beat of your own drum.”
Gardner believes women have a vital role to play in the energy industry.
“As the industry implements new strategies around decarbonization and energy transition, we will see new companies and opportunities opening, and women will be key from both a technical and leadership perspective to help these companies grow and succeed,” she said. “Women bring fresh new ideas and different perspectives on how to solve problems.”
Women should feel safe in stepping out of their comfort zones and be confident in the skills and capabilities they bring to the table, Gardner said. Now is the time for companies to shift the status quo and put money and policies into play to ensure a future for women in the workplace.
“Creating a supportive and inclusive workplace is not only the right thing to do but can also lead to better business outcomes,” she said. “By embracing diversity and empowering women, companies can tap into a broader talent pool, unlock innovation and drive sustainable growth.”
For Gardner, utilizing executive coaches throughout her career has been critical to her success because of the value of having someone to give unbiased and objective opinions on the challenges and decisions that must be made by leaders
“Having a coach has helped me be more self-aware and really have a deeper understanding of my strengths, development areas and blind spots,” she said. “Through coaching, I have gained the confidence to take risks, step out of my comfort zone and embrace personal growth. Working with a coach has helped me explore my potential, discover new strengths and overcome limiting beliefs which have been barriers to my success.”
Gardner also advises people to give themselves a break on self-criticism.
“The best piece of advice that I’ve received is to own your mistakes, learn from them and move on,” she said. “Some people think making a mistake is a sign of weakness and demonstrates a lack of knowledge. What I’ve learned is, admitting and owning mistakes fosters a culture of transparency and accountability within a team and/or organization. By being transparent about your mistakes, you set an example for others to follow and encourage a culture of learning and growth. It’s important to not be too hard on yourself, but rather see mistakes as an opportunity for growth, improvement and learning experiences.”
Check out the rest of Hart Energy's 2024 Women in Energy here.
1. I am the youngest of six kids.
2. I played tennis in college.
3. I’ve been to six of the seven continents.