Powering Up People: Why Investing in Your Team with Tech Trumps Tech Alone in Energy, Renewables, & Clean Tech

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The energy, renewables, and clean tech sectors are known for their cutting-edge advancements. From AI-powered grids to revolutionary battery technologies, these industries are at the forefront of innovation. But amidst this rapid technological evolution, it’s easy to overlook a crucial element: the people driving this change. 

Are your leaders equipped with the soft skills and tools needed to motivate, engage, and retain talent in such a dynamic environment? Are the nuanced insights from employee interactions—like development needs, performance blockers, or engagement signals—being lost in the digital shuffle? These are the questions organizational leaders must prioritize if they want to stay ahead.

The solution isn’t choosing between tech and talent—it’s enabling your people with people-focused technical tools. In sectors like energy, renewables, and clean tech—where the pace of innovation is relentless and the stakes are high—you need more than just technical expertise. You need leaders who can push the boundaries of what’s possible, rally teams around complex goals, and navigate constant change. That is why we propose a tech-enabled approach to developing leadership capacity in these organizations. This is how organizations can future-proof both their workforce and their technology investments.

Monark TL;DR

• Tech investment in the energy sector is critical, but a people skills gap threatens progress.
• Strong leadership and satisfied employees directly impact retention, engagement, and company growth.
• Bridge the gap by adopting people-focused technology that strengthens leadership, communication, and employee development.

Tech Takes Center Stage (But Is It Stealing the Show?)

These sectors have rightly prioritized technology to boost efficiency and drive innovation. The growing demand for power, especially as AI adoption skyrockets, alongside increasing environmental pressures, has made these investments essential. However, the intense focus on technology has often come at the cost of investing in the soft skills and tools leaders need to support their people effectively.

In fact, EY just launched their 2025 Future of Energy Survey findings, with two major takeaways sticking out:

(1) technology is poised to have the largest impact on the industry, and

(2) companies are struggling to scale technology and capture value due to challenges in retaining employees with relevant skills.

Among oil and gas and chemicals executives, 83% say that hiring and retaining workers proficient in new technologies is a major challenge. But what’s often overlooked is that this isn’t just a technical gap—it’s a leadership and enablement gap. Without managers equipped with soft skills and the tools to coach and develop their teams, even the best tech investments fall flat.

The People Puzzle: Why It Matters More Than Ever

Critically, it’s essential to take a broader perspective to this issue. Reskilling and employee development to empower internal tech success shouldn’t focus on solely providing individuals with the technical skills required to utilize novel infrastructure and software. While these hard skills are essential, overlooking the development of soft skills—such as communication, adaptability, and emotional intelligence—especially among leaders, can intensify the critical talent crisis occurring in the industry. This includes a narrowing talent pool, leaders leaving for other industries, and new technology outpacing trained professionals.

In essence, investing in your people —not just as workers, but as leaders, teammates, and communicators—is equally, if not more, critical for long-term success. In fact, according to Gallup, losing your best employees costs you one-half to two times the employee’s annual salary– and that’s a conservative estimate that doesn’t take into consideration the specific rapid changes and skills gaps present within the energy sector itself. Soft skill development through leadership training not only supports retention but also enhances resilience and performance across teams.

Strong leadership, which can be bolstered through training or leadership optimization tools, also fosters employee engagement, retention, and overall performance, contributing to consistent company growth.  Even more salient, in 2024, McKinsey identified leadership as the employee value proposition factor with the most room for growth amongst gas and oil companies – signaling that companies investing in soft skill development today could gain a distinct competitive advantage in attracting and retaining top talent.

Leveraging Tech for People Improvements

For organizations that have historically prioritized technological advancements, people-focused tech investments such as AI-driven 1:1 tools or tech-based learning platforms, offer a familiar framework – a tech solution with a profound human impact. It allows you to invest in your people in a way that aligns with existing budgetary structures and technological understanding. The right technology focused on human capital management and development can ensure leaders have vital data in hand to not just develop themselves but to bring out the best in their teams and organizations as well.

Unlocking Human Potential with AI: Finding a Solution

The energy sector is full of potential, and so are its people. But realizing that potential hinges on more than just ambition. For leaders, the difference between impact and burnout often comes down to the tools they’re given.

That’s why choosing the right support systems matters. Ask yourself: Are communication breakdowns stalling team progress? Do leaders need better ways to track development and give meaningful feedback?

The answers will help point you to the right solutions, whether it’s AI-powered meeting tools that streamline communication and surface key insights, or AI-enabled training platforms that target soft skill gaps through realistic roleplay and personalized feedback.

The goal? Equip leaders to thrive in a fast-changing landscape. By using AI to take on administrative burdens, analyze employee sentiment, and deliver tailored development experiences, companies can foster more engaged, high-performing teams.

When organizations visibly invest in these tools, they don’t just boost productivity—they signal their commitment to people. That’s how you create a culture that retains top talent and stands out in the energy sector.

The ROI of People: Why Your Greatest Tech Investment is Your Team

The future of the energy, renewables, and clean tech sectors depends on a balanced approach: leveraging technology to drive innovation while simultaneously investing in the development and well-being of the people who power that innovation. By recognizing that technological advancement and human capital are equally critical, organizations can cultivate thriving teams, drive performance, and ensure long-term success in an evolving landscape..

Ready to Build the Future? Let Monark Be Your Guide

Ready to make a smart tech investment that directly fuels the growth and well-being of your people in Energy/Renewables/Clean Tech and looking for a solution for your team? Discover how Monark’s Meeting Intelligence can be your bridge to a more people-centric future. Plus, download our free guide: ‘Making the Case: A Simple Script for Investing in Your People Through Technology’ below to help you discuss this crucial investment with your leadership team.