Episode Transcript
Speaker 0 00:00:00 <inaudible>
Speaker 1 00:00:10 And gentlemen of the LinkedIn community, welcome to this week's edition of coffee with Jim and James. Normally, as you know, I do a kind of wacky intro and this week I'm not really feeling it. I'm feeling a little bit more historic. So let me bring James in first and tell a quick little story before we introduce our, our guests, James, as I was sitting around last night and thinking about the topic women in leadership, you know, a lot of thoughts came to my mind, but the industry where we are today, but it was an interesting thought. I thought about my childhood and I'm going to my mom one day. And my dad went to work pretty much, five to six days a week. And I remember asking my mom, I said, mom, why don't you go to work too? And I was little young and she's like, well, I can't go to work. I have to clean the house and the meals and such. And you know, it's funny, I haven't thought of that. And I'll say maybe 40 plus 50 years. And, uh, but it was, uh, it was a sobering thought being very realistic because that that's within my lifetime that, you know, we have come leaps and bounds. And so to say that I'm excited about the topic of women leadership today is an understatement. So with that, please let me bring James and James, how are you doing this fine and beautiful day.
Speaker 2 00:01:27 Excellent. You know, I was, I was raised by a woman, uh, that, uh, did a fantastic job and work hard every day. So, uh, this was, this was a neat one to put together and we, I think we have two fantastic examples of, of women out there doing the good, the good deeds and the things that need to be done in this industry. And so I couldn't be happier Jim, to, uh, welcome both, uh, Jill Adams and Myra, my essay. And instead of us clunking through your intro, like, I'm sure we would do, uh, why don't we let each of you and Jill, you being the guest in this energy where on that group, we'll let you go first, you know, uh, let everybody know who you're with, what you do and a little bit about yourself.
Speaker 0 00:02:15 Um, so one, thank you. I get to wear your swag to, um, to be able to join you today. So thank you for, for allowing you to be able to be here. Um, so I am with diversified utility sales of America and GTS. So I am the marketing and sales director for the organization. So I grew up actually on a farm in Western Minnesota, where my mom, um, obviously helped on the farm, but also was very entrepreneurial minded, which is what sparked, why I am, who I am today. And so I grew up with a very strong mother, um, and a father who supported her in all her ventures. Um, so that's, that's a little bit about me, Barbara. Why don't you jump in and, uh, and touch up our audience a little bit, who may not know who you are.
Speaker 3 00:03:12 Yeah. So, um, thank you for having me on the show. Uh, definitely, uh, it is a pleasure to be with the studio and Jill, good to see jail as well. So I'm honored to be on here with her. Um, yeah, so, um, I'm actually the executive vice president here at, uh, energy world edit and been with the company a little bit over 11 years now. Um, and so I've held many, many different positions throughout my career. Um, and, uh, you know, just like Jim, I was also raised by a mom that was stay at home mom and did all the cooking and the cleaning and, and, um, that was kind of the culture, um, you know, in also part of, uh, you know, our heritage of who we are. Um, but, uh, I was a little bit different. I was a little bit more independent minded, like, Oh yeah, I'm not going to do that, that for the rest of my life. So, um, you know, growing up in the, all the gas industry, my entire life, West, Texas, um, the smell of money, um, is the term. It definitely does, uh, seeing, you know, that, uh, I didn't actually envision myself in that area, but, uh, here I am today. And so I'm glad to talk a little bit more about it.
Speaker 1 00:04:31 Good, good. We are so excited to have you all here today. Let me, let me dive in a little bit deeper, cause you both, Myra, Jill, you guys can go back and forth. Dialogue is great. Um, Myra, you kind of touched on it, but I want to get a little bit deeper into that as well as Jill. What, what brought you both to the oil and gas industry? You know, what, what, what was the trigger that kind of brought you in got a little insight as to Myra, you know, growing up into it, but maybe we could find out a little bit more. And then the second part of that question, you know, there's been stigmas and model changes over the years. Um, but we are here today. And how do you think our industry, the oil and gas industry is pushing and promoting women in leadership. And that's a very important, you know, statement right there, women in leadership. So, um, you guys can flip a coin to see, would like to take the first stab. And if you forgot any of the question, I will happily remind you part of it.
Speaker 3 00:05:32 Good deal.
Speaker 0 00:05:35 I, I am going to, uh, borrow, uh, James says terminology cause I watched you guys frequently enough. So I landed here and got here as quickly as I could. I actually started, um, back in 2002 with the telco, um, organization. Um, but I landed in this, uh, NRG space really as quickly as I possibly could and by mere fortune. Right. And now it absolutely feels like this has been, um, uh, just an absolute blessing in my life. So because this is, it really reminds me so much of like the farm, my farming, right. Um, and I say that whenever somebody asks me why this industry feels so much like home, it's just like farming. You know, they have like the mutual assistance programs for farming. When somebody goes down, they help bring in the crop. Right? Same in our industry. If, if a utility or a natural disaster comes in, everybody comes to each other's aid, same with the sharing and, and free, um, sharing of ideas to make things better. Um, everybody's there to assist to improve the overall safety reliability of a verb, everybody else, which is, um, just been, it's just so unique and absolutely wonderful. So that is, it just completely feels like home. Um, what was the next one?
Speaker 1 00:07:10 That was good. And that's why I promised I was going to be with you the whole way. You know, when we look at the industry and women in leadership, what do you think the industry and how do you think the industry is really pushing, promoting, um, walking the talk type of, Oh,
Speaker 0 00:07:29 I am going to step that back just a little bit. So us as women need to be able to be voicing our own ability to be able to step into those leadership roles. So, um, as an example, uh, early in my professional career, I ended up taking a managerial position at the age of 25,
Speaker 1 00:07:51 No experience.
Speaker 0 00:07:54 It was managing people, um, many of my senior, same my same age and some younger than myself. Um, you have to be able to take risks and raise your hand and say that you are willing to accept the responsibility and learn within those roles. Um, you know, there's a statistic that says that women won't apply for a job unless they believe they have a hundred percent of the skillset, um, for the role, whereas men will apply for a role if they have 50% of the, the skillset, right?
Speaker 1 00:08:28 I'm, I'm applying for jobs right now that I'm not qualified, I'm not scared.
Speaker 0 00:08:34 So we need to change our own, um, our own internal voice, um, and be able to accept that what you learn on the job just as we have that capability within us. Um, so part of that's an inside job. So finding those, uh, in some of them can be formal and some of them can be an informal mentor within your life that you, uh, and enhancing your own skillset to be able to step into those roles, whether it would be improving yourself, confidence, changing that dialogue with yourself, um, is so vitally important. And then making sure that you are influencing those other people around you and saying, you can do it right. So helping those around you also help change their internal dialogue to go, no, go for it. So, yeah.
Speaker 1 00:09:35 Good point. Myra, let me, um, uh, very good. Jill, Myra, you grew up in West Texas oil and gas. It was living, eating, breathing, and it just like James did, did you know, from an early age you wanted to get an oil and gas, or how did that, how did that journey happen?
Speaker 3 00:09:52 But now actually I wanted to be a nurse and, um, I actually, um, had started early on and even through high school work, uh, through the, uh, nurse net program, uh, to be able to get how to get my feet in, to see if that was truly what my passion was. I knew I wanted to help people. Um, and I, and, uh, I really, really wanted to, to be in the medical industry inside of the career. So I never thought that, Hey, I want to grow up and be in the same industry that, uh, is all around me. And it, my, my, a lot of my family, um, was in it and continues to be in it. Um, so it just kind of happened actually in back in 2002 now in 2000, um, 2002, 2004 ish is when we moved up here to North Texas.
Speaker 3 00:10:45 And, um, I started to take into roles of basically just kind of, uh, in, you know, uh, secretarial type of work is the first type of career in the oil and gas side of it. And that was more on the upstream production side. Um, so still very similar to the same smells that I was used to, uh, but in a different, a different site. And, uh, that's where the, the regulatory and compliance side, uh, really came in. But, um, I didn't actually say that's what I want to do. It's it's happened. And I definitely agree with Jill, a lot of the mentorship. And, uh, we can probably talk about that a little bit more in depth here in a little bit, but I, I think that, um, you know, that's part of the second part of the question you're right. Jill, we, we, as women definitely need to have that mindset.
Speaker 3 00:11:33 Um, I can say that early on in my career, um, especially in the oil and gas industry, um, it, it isn't necessarily a smooth and easy, um, I've often told people, you know, I had to grow thick skin, um, because, uh, it, it is an industry where, um, you know, things that you you see in here and out in the field, um, you know, they're, there it's real work, it's tough work. Um, and it's work that not everyone wants to necessarily do and jump in a ditch and, you know, and get all dirty and, and, uh, um, it's, it's not that nice fun, you know, type of work that James does all the time. So, yeah, it's definitely
Speaker 2 00:12:29 Myra, I think you bring up a good point about West Texas to where I wouldn't say it's a negative connotation to the industry, but when you grow up in that, in that in West Texas, that's almost the default, right? Like that's, you know, you can go work in upstream and exploration, right. And so everybody wants you to go do something else. They're like, go, you know, do something because you can always come back and work with your uncle, you know, approve, you know? And so, so they want you to kind of go out. And so I was the same way I ended up, I was trying to stay away and it's funny, I moved away from them here I am. Right. And then I got in there, they won't go away. So, um, I can relate, I can relate. Um, so, so I've got a question for both of you, you're, you're both super involved in the industry.
Speaker 2 00:13:24 Like we talked about, uh, whether it be committees or know board seats or associations that you're involved with, um, you know, you're out there, you know, especially for women, what associations or committees do you feel like are out there helping promote, uh, women in leadership, you know, within our, our world, our segment, um, we beg people all the time. I don't know if y'all saw the episode with applied consultants, but, um, we beg people all the time to get involved. You know, we can sit on the sidelines and complain and be concerned about things and feel like we have no influence, but the really, really good news is what I try to tell people is there's a lot of smart people sitting at tables and have been figuring out these problems and being a part of that dialogue. And so what, what, what committees are out there? What association, what, how can people get involved? Women get involved in that women in leadership kind of movement?
Speaker 0 00:14:35 Well, I can, I can start. So, um, being at some of those tables, it is, it's not intimidating. It really is not. Um, so there's no fear take action. If you, if you are looking at an invitation here is you're invited. You are just flat out invited. Um, the door is open. Um, no matter what your skill level is, you, the key thing is to take action and start somewhere. You won't get to wherever you are wanting to go to later. Um, if you don't start now right. And developing one, the relationships to be able to form some kind of mentorship with somebody, cause it starts, they can start at that table. Right. Um, and, um, or in a room, it can start in the hallway. Yeah. Um, it, and, and you can learn by us, Moses, you can learn so much by being involved and being in be by being active. If you start local, start at a national level, start somewhere, just start. Yeah. That's what really is my recommendation. Yeah.
Speaker 3 00:16:00 I, I would agree with you, Dale. I think that it's very in, in today's time, you know, um, any of the committees that you choose to, to go and follow in and be part of are very open and welcoming, especially to women. I think, um, uh, there, there is, um, a lot of opportunity in our industry as what I've seen, SGA is a great example, a great, uh, um, organization that really, really promotes women in the industry as well as, um, MEA is another one that I can name off. Um, I've um, also joined, um, awe, which is the association of women in energy. And that expands out a little bit further into different types of verticals in, in energy, but that that's the whole part of it is networking to understand more, to gain knowledge and gain knowledge from each other because there's that experience that, um, we can share and mentor others and learn from others as well. So, you know, while you are at those round tables, committees, hallways, wherever, even on the plane or something, you know, on, on the road, wherever you are, um, those types of connections and networking, there's, there's tons of organizations out there. Uh, other than, you know, the ones I mentioned mentioned, but you're right. Start wherever, um, you know, whatever is local for you or whatever is, um, as far as you want to go, um, more nationally or, um, vertically, you know, in, in different areas as well. Right?
Speaker 0 00:17:28 So it's easy, right? Um, energetic women is one, I'm very, I'm involved with them on a leadership committee of their, their entire purpose is to prepare women for leadership roles in operations and management within the energy
Speaker 3 00:17:43 Industry.
Speaker 0 00:17:45 So, um, SDA is like you said, my
Speaker 3 00:17:50 Run, um, you know, AGA does, uh, does a nice job, um, as well. So, uh, NACE is another one that I'm involved with. So, um, there are just, you know, let alone the local, um, you know, every state has their own division, um, to be getting involved with whether it's men ops, whether it's TGA, whether it would be, um, mango, whether it would be Florida rather. I mean, there's oppor, right? There's there's opportunities wherever you are. If you look, there's an opportunity for you to be getting involved, but get involved. And it is, um, you will find that there is a welcoming hand next to you.
Speaker 1 00:18:33 Let me, let me jump in. Let's let's let's play, uh, what's that called James crystal ball or whatever. Let's remember. What was the old John and corruption? Oh, Karnak yeah. Karnak okay. My right, Jill let's step back to the days when you were 24, 25, 26. Now I know for you ladies, that was two or three years ago for James and I, it was decade. Um, anyways, if you could go back in time to that time, what advice would you give yourself to inspire yourself? You know, about the oil and gas industry, and we've hit on a couple of great things here, and I just want to keep that momentum going. What else would you tell yourself? Or more importantly, I'm sure we have viewers out there that might be like, my daughter graduated from UT this year going to be out in the workforce, you know, has a lot of questions. What advice would you give people like that and yourself at the age of 24, 25, 26, about the oil and gas industry and thoughts about how to take it by the horns?
Speaker 3 00:19:47 I would say, um, you know, just, just from experience, cause that was around the time that I, that I definitely entered into the industry. So, um, is, is just to be, um, open. So the great possibilities that are out there, because sometimes there is that stigma of, Oh, it's the oil and gas and, uh, I don't want to, um, you know, necessarily go into that industry. There's so much opportunity out there. And so, um, you know, don't be afraid to step into that world and, um, make a change because there's tons of women in our industry today that are very inspirational leaders, um, find yourself a good mentor, um, to be able to, uh, to learn the reps from, I have had amazing mentors, uh, throughout my career to get me to where I am and to learn all of the, um, information that I know. So, so yeah, just, uh, don't be afraid of, of our,
Speaker 0 00:20:48 I like that echo that I do. You said it really beautifully. I echo that, um, and be fearless, right. Be patient with your development and be fearless in that. And you, um, step into your men, don't be afraid, always be inquisitive. Right. Um, you know, I was reflecting on this in preparation for this, and I was talking to a mentor that has spanned my, my professional career. And, um, I was taking notes on this and it was, um, one of the things that, um, she, there's going to be lessons that you learned right over the course of your career path, and it's totally, always take the best and leave the rest. Right. And so Lee, so continue to learn those lessons and always stay so inquisitive until you get the lesson that you are needing to learn, right? Um, be patient with yourself as you continue on with your girl's journey. And this is, there are so many ways for you to grow within this industry. Um, this, this is a life industry. This is, this is an industry in which you continue on, but then your, your, your entire career path, um, you can develop in so many different areas personally and professionally
Speaker 2 00:22:16 Love it, Jimmy, this is this, uh, some of the guys who are listening to this episode too, because, uh, it's neat to hear this stuff. This is why women need to be at the table. Number one, but number two, it doesn't matter who you are. It's good advice. This leads fantastically into our last question. Oh, if you're, if you're an avid listener, watch her, whatever you do, whatever your flavor is, then you probably already know what this is. And you probably cheated Jill. Yeah. You don't want to be unprepared. This is the best part. Right. So, uh, now let's, uh, let's jump right into the surprise question. We don't tell anybody, but of course there's a little bit of research that could get you there, but I'll start with Jill because she is our guest today, and then we'll jump into Yumira and you can close it down. So Jill, do you love what you do and why?
Speaker 0 00:23:17 I, okay. I absolutely thoroughly enjoy and love what I do. I'm so passionate about what we do. Um, and there's so many, there's a variety of reasons why, right. Um, we it's, we impact the lives of so many people like we do. We just get to, and once, once that really hits with you,
Speaker 3 00:23:46 Um, and that lands on your heart, your chest. Absolutely. Um, you just absolutely love what you do.
Speaker 2 00:23:58 It's easy, easy peasy, Myra.
Speaker 3 00:24:04 Absolutely. I am very, very passionate, um, about what I do, um, about what I've learned in this industry and, and our industry as a whole. Um, like I mentioned earlier, you know, my, my desire to go into the health industry was to help people. And, um, I am still doing that today in this industry, um, ensuring that there is safety and competence competency out there and, um, I'm still doing what I wanted to do. And that's the great part of it is that, you know, it's, it doesn't seem like it's a job. This is my career. This is my passion, you know, the, the road that I chose and that I want to continue in until retirement. Uh, and I think that, that it's been a wonderful journey. Um, definitely influenced many people. And for me personally, to have my two oldest daughters joined the same industry, um, has definitely been a blessing to say that that passion has also continued on, uh, in so many other areas,
Speaker 2 00:25:09 What a legacy Jill you're muted and what I would attribute to Myra that you're muted, uh, inside joke there. Uh, if you don't know it, Jill Myra actually won the, uh, uh, can you hear me now, or this year for <inaudible> in every single one. And we gave her this year, outfitting how fitting, uh, there's no question that you two are passionate about what you do and you're, you're, you're leading and showing others how to lead at the same time. Uh, your answers today, say it all. I mean, your smiles on your face and the way you do your jobs, um, you know, it shows in your actions. So we appreciate what you do. Thank you so much for being on Jimmy. Bring us home, brother.
Speaker 1 00:26:03 Yeah. Thank you. Thank you ladies. So much today's episode, uh, put a smile on my face and warmed my heart. And, and I think James also hit it too. This is, you know, we started off women in leadership and it really is more about just people. I mean, it, it transcends genders and such like that in your advice today, your guidance, your everything was well so well, um, you know, said and given to the audience and I hope that the audience members, no matter what the age, no matter what the gender, no matter what can take something out of this today. So on behalf of James and I, Myra and Jill, we appreciate you so much. Um, LinkedIn community, please connect with Jill and Myra. They're great people. Um, you know, send them a note. If you have any questions, uh, anything about the industry, business, you know, mentorship, all that type of stuff. And please do follow copy that Jim and James, we appreciate every viewer that we have each and every one of you guys without you, we don't have a show. So until next week on behalf of James and I and coffee with Jim and James, we will see you, everybody, please continue to stay safe and we will see you next week.
Speaker 2 00:27:15 Bye-bye everybody wants to get involved. Reach out to me. We'll get you a seat at the table too. All right. Yep. Bye. Bye everyone.
