How Support Systems Shape Leadership Success and Career Pivots (Featuring Energy Scientist Katerina Yared)

Career paths aren’t linear. They zig, zag, pivot, pause, and expand in ways previous generations never could have imagined. But one truth remains constant:

No leader succeeds alone.

In the latest episode of The Leadership Laboratory, I sit down with the remarkable Katerina Yared, an energy scientist with more than 20 years of experience spanning oil and gas, geothermal, carbon capture, sustainable management, and now corporate leadership.

Katerina’s story is a powerful example of what happens when you combine curiosity, optimism, courage, and the right support system.

From Offshore Rigs to Global Leadership

Katerina began her career far from comfort—on offshore rigs, often as one of the only women in the field. That choice wasn’t easy, but it laid the foundation for her entire career. It taught her resilience, adaptability, and how to trust her instincts even when the path ahead wasn’t clear.

As the energy sector evolved, so did she. Geothermal. Carbon capture. Consulting. Advanced degrees. Leadership roles in international societies. Katerina continued to reinvent herself long before “pivoting” was a buzzword.

Her key?
Staying curious and building a strong support system.

Why Support Systems Matter More Than Ever

Katerina emphasizes something many leaders overlook:
Your support system—your mentors, coaches, colleagues, and community—is often the force that accelerates your growth.

These are the people who:

• See your strengths before you fully recognize them
  
  
• Give you the feedback you need (not always the feedback you want)
  
  
• Champion you when you’re not in the room
  
  
• Encourage you to say “yes” before you feel ready
  
  

A career pivot doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens because you surround yourself with the right voices—and learn how to listen to them.

Clarity Comes From Speaking Up

One of the most powerful themes in our conversation is this:
Leaders must speak up about their goals.

People can’t support what they don’t know.

Katerina learned early that communicating her aspirations—often and clearly—transformed how others saw her. It opened doors, created advocates, and built momentum in her career long before the opportunities formally arrived.

This is a lesson every leader can apply today.

Curiosity Is Your Superpower

Katerina’s final advice is simple but profound:
Lead with curiosity.
Lead with your gut.

Curiosity fuels reinvention.
It turns feedback into growth.
It transforms uncertainty into opportunity.

Whether you’re navigating a transition or contemplating your next chapter, this episode will inspire you to take bolder action with more clarity and confidence.

🎧 Listen to the Episode:
How Support Systems Shape Leadership Success and Career Pivots featuring Katerina Yared
– Apple Podcasts
– Spotify
– YouTube