Energy has long been a symbol of hard power. It has been used as a tool of coercion, a lever to shape alliances, and a means of extracting strategic concessions. As the foundation of industrial output, control over energy has historically translated into economic and geopolitical influence. While disparities between resource-rich and resource-poor nations persist, today’s energy landscape is no longer defined primarily by supply manipulation, price shocks, or embargoes. Instead, strategic...

Strategic Signals from a Fragmented Global Energy System For this year’s review, I decided to move beyond the headlines and instead dissect the strategic themes shaping the global energy system. What began several years ago as an annual reflection on the top headlines and their implications for the energy sector has evolved into a body of work with deeper strategic analysis. This review assessed how energy players responded to technological change, geopolitics, and climate pressure. It...

I recently presented at the RIMS Annual Conference in Seattle. In my presentation, I discussed the challenges leaders face in driving strategy in a complex global environment. Understanding the Landscape of Uncertainty Though organizations are facing unprecedented volatility, complexity, and ambiguity, I believe there is a silver lining in that uncertainty. Today’s environment may be rapidly shifting, but it can also be the birthplace of strategic advantage. There is, however, a twist....