For early-career professionals in the energy sector—or anyone aiming to move into leadership—there’s often an unspoken tension between doing your job well and positioning yourself for what comes next. In this episode, I speak with Laurent Pagnon, Head of Group Strategy at SGS, about how he navigated that balance from engineering in the Middle East to executive strategy roles in Europe and the U.S.

We talk about career pivots, growing beyond comfort zones, and why being good at your job isn’t always enough to get promoted. Laurent shares what helped him move into senior roles, and what he looks for in potential leaders—especially those coming up the ranks.

This conversation is useful if you're trying to stay relevant, build influence, or just wondering how to stay curious while still climbing the ladder.

🛠️ Three Takeaways You Can Act On:

🔹 Deliver beyond your job description.

It’s often what you do outside your direct role that gets noticed—especially when peers (not just your boss) see you solving problems across teams.

🔹 Be honest about your skill gaps—and work on them.

You don’t need a formal development plan. What matters is regular conversations with your manager about what’s missing and how you’re actively closing those gaps.

🔹 Build business acumen, not just technical depth.

Understanding the global energy market—even at a basic level—can make a huge difference. Don’t just read the technical reports. Learn how your industry works.