What happens when you put human-centred leadership and a sense of purpose at the top of your business agenda? You get a highly engaged, high performing workforce,  driven to create sustainable change together. 

In episode 40 of our podcast, Classroom 5.0, Seth Pathiyil shares how a values aligned approach to leadership is transforming AGL’s approach to clean energy and inclusive impact.  

Seth Pathiyil is an engineer by profession with a career spanning over three decades across five industries in four countries. Today, he serves as the Head of Hunter Energy Hubs at AGL Energy Ltd. steering AGL’s efforts in creating low-carbon industrial energy hubs powered by renewable energy. He also chairs AGL’s Diversity and Inclusion committee, advocating for an inclusive and sustainable future.

Seth’s upbringing in Kerala, a matriarchal society known for its picturesque landscapes and rich culture, deeply influenced his values and leadership style. His parents, especially his father’s dedication to supporting minority groups, instilled in him a sense of purpose and service which has carried through his personal and professional life today.

As Seth shares in our conversation, this foundation has driven him to prioritise integrity, respect, and the well-being of others in his leadership roles. An advocate for conscious business practices that prioritise stakeholder well-being and have a higher purpose beyond profits, Seth looks to the future with hope and optimism.

In today's episode, he casts an eye toward our future world and workforce, and shares emerging trends informing what skills we'll need to develop as humans, to create an innovative, sustainable future of work.

“So to me, leadership drives culture and culture drives the performance, right? Or another way of looking at it is that people with purpose drive performance. 

Conscious businesses have three or four key fundamental principles that they stick to. Some of them very traditional, at the same time, some of them very futuristic. So we have a higher purpose, which is why we turn to work. Similarly having that stakeholder mindset. So when I say stakeholders, not just the customers, but also the employees, the communities, the families, the suppliers, you know, everyone. So it's that shared mindset is what I mean. It's not about money, power or ego. It is about caring for, genuinely caring for the people. And in turn, the purpose of the organisation in making life better for everyone. So, and lastly, I'll probably say the cultural aspect, which we spoke about earlier."

~ Seth Pathiyil 

Inside the Episode.

Seth's leadership philosophy focuses on inspiring and caring for people, with an eye on future leadership skills and the impact on the next generation.

Takeaways:

• Hear how Seth's childhood in India shaped his values and leadership philosophy.

•  Learn about the clean energy transition, and the projects AGL is leading, aimed at creating low carbon industrial energy hubs powered by renewable energy.

•  Gain insight into why collaboration and conscious business principles are essential for sustainable business practices and stakeholder wellbeing.

•  Discover future leadership skills, like analytical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and a lifelong learning attitude.

•  Consider the impact of the next generation, particularly Gen Z, on the workforce and the need to create opportunities for their success. How integrating different generations into the workforce presents challenges and opportunities, emphasising the need for fostering the right skills, mindsets, and qualities.

LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE HERE 

Now also available to watch live on YouTube!! 

About Seth Pathiyil - Head of Hunter Energy Hubs, AGL Energy Ltd.

An engineer by profession, Seth has worked his way to become a business leader having experienced five different industries in four different countries over three decades, including the world’s largest oil refinery. He is skilfully adept at creating an environment where people feel safe, seen, heard and aspire to grow and transform the world for the better.

As the Head of Liddell Power Station, AGL Energy (AGL), during the crucial years before its closure, he drove a remarkable performance turnaround with outstanding and consistent progress in both safety and environmental performances as well as record generation at minimal cost despite the exponential rise in risks due to an ageing station. Most importantly, he enabled the respectful transition of all employees at Liddell during its closure. He attributes this transformation at Liddell to its people, the culture and its business model delivered through Truly Human Leadership.

He is currently Head of Hunter Energy Hubs (AGL) and the chairperson of its Diversity and Inclusion committee. He is a pragmatically optimistic individual who believes in a bright future and in our ability to build it together. With a compelling vision for AGL’s Hunter site, his collaborative nature, and inspirational leadership, Seth is committed to ensuring the region smoothly transitions to clean energy – this generation’s biggest economic challenge.

Ready to uncover your own confidence?

Check out the recommended reads and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Listen to  “ Zero" by Bloomberg here
• Read “Everybody Matters: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family ” Bob Chapman and Raj Sisodia  here
• Read "High Performance Habits: How Extraordinary People Become That Way" by Brendan Burchard here
• Read "The Future of Service is 5D: Why humans serve best in the digital era" by Jacqui Scammel here
• Listen to "Business In Colour" here
• Read "The Power of Now"  by Eckhart Tolle, here  
• Learn more about The neuroIMPACT Network and how we're helping organisations develop their neurodivergent talent here

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Thanks for tuning into another episode of Classroom 5.0, and helping to imagine alive the future of learning, work and leadership.