Transforming BKW: A Journey from Traditional Utility to Energy Services Powerhouse

The Challenge: Navigating Change in the Energy Industry

BKW, a traditional Swiss energy utility with a long history and significant fixed assets, faced a critical turning point under the leadership of CEO Susan Thomas. As the last Swiss nuclear plant was being dismantled, marking an iconic moment in the country's history, Thomas recognized the need to transform BKW into a dynamic energy services powerhouse.

The challenges were multifaceted:

• Cultural Integration: As BKW acquired smaller startups with diverse cultures and accounting standards, integrating these teams into the existing organization proved difficult.
• Leadership Alignment: Ensuring that the entire management team, from the CEO downwards, was aligned and equipped with the necessary leadership skills to drive the transformation.
• Adapting to Change: Shifting from a traditional, asset-heavy utility model to a more agile, service-oriented approach required a significant mindset change throughout the organization.

The Solution: A Practical Approach to Leadership Development

To support BKW's transformation, Systems Leadership was brought in as part of a group of coaching suppliers to provide targeted leadership development interventions.

Leadership Circle 360° Assessment

The first step was to assess the leadership effectiveness of BKW's management team using the Leadership Circle 360° assessment. This powerful tool, which compares participants to a database of over 200,000 leaders, quickly identified key coaching opportunities for each individual.

Customized Coaching Sessions

Based on the assessment results, Systems Leadership provided three personalized coaching sessions for each member of the management team. These sessions focused on practical, hands-on approaches to leadership development, moving away from the overcomplicated and previous approach to implementing Teal (as described by Frederic Laloux).

Targeted Workshop Series

In addition to individual coaching, Systems Leadership delivered a series of custom workshops designed to address specific challenges faced by BKW's leaders:

• "Thinking Clearly": This workshop focused on developing critical thinking skills and decision-making processes to navigate the complexities of the energy industry.
• "Communicating Clearly": Participants learned effective communication strategies to ensure clarity and alignment throughout the organization.
• "Connecting Clerly": This workshop focused on building strong relationships and fostering collaboration among BKW's diverse teams.

Team Workshops with LEGO Serious Play

To foster open discussion and problem-solving among teams, Systems Leadership facilitated workshops using the LEGO Serious Play methodology. Participants used LEGO artefacts to describe their challenges and explore new perspectives, creating a safe space for productive conversations and collaboration.

The Impact: A Successful Transformation

Through the targeted leadership development interventions provided by Systems Leadership, BKW's management team was able to:

• Align and Inspire: Leaders at all levels were equipped with the skills and mindset needed to drive the transformation and inspire their teams.
• Integrate Cultures: The workshops and coaching sessions helped bridge the gaps between BKW's existing culture and those of the acquired startups, fostering a more cohesive and collaborative organization.
• Embrace Change: By addressing individual and team challenges head-on, BKW's leaders were able to adapt to the changing energy landscape and successfully transition to a more agile, service-oriented model.

"Systems Leadership's practical approach to leadership development was instrumental in our successful transformation. Their insights and guidance helped us navigate the challenges of change and emerge as a stronger, more united organization." - Susan Thomas, CEO of BKW

As BKW continues to evolve and grow in the dynamic energy services market, the leadership foundation laid by Systems Leadership's interventions will serve as a solid base for ongoing success.

Take the Next Step

If your organization is facing similar challenges of navigating change and transforming your leadership culture, Systems Leadership can help. Our proven approach, combining targeted assessments, personalized coaching, and interactive workshops, has helped numerous companies across industries achieve their goals.