Joel Kamau steered his career into a fresh direction after leaving East African Breweries Limited. Moving from the fast-moving consumer goods sector to the oil and gas industry marked a significant professional leap for him. Kamau reflected on his experiences with warmth and excitement about the unexpected path ahead.
His time at EABL proved incredibly valuable. He developed strong skills navigating complex team dynamics and building powerful networks within the alcohol industry. However, Kamau felt ready to challenge himself beyond familiar territory. The oil and gas sector presented an exciting opportunity for personal and professional growth. With a playful nod to his scientific background, he joked about completing a journey through different states of matter after working with solids at Unilever, liquids at Coca-Cola and EABL, and now gas.
Seeking wisdom for such a dramatic career shift, Kamau turned to trusted mentors and coaches. Conversations with Andrew Musingo and John Musunga provided critical guidance. He discovered a transformative book that became his transition roadmap, emphasizing patience and thoughtful decision-making. The moments of transition were both exhilarating and challenging.
One memorable experience stood out. Watching a vessel unload gas felt like a cinematic moment. Suddenly, his high school chemistry lessons became surprisingly relevant. Technical terms like propane and butane transformed from distant memories to daily vocabulary. Proto Energy supported his journey, helping him evolve from managing functional leaders to leading leaders at a more strategic level.
Kamau approached his career transition through three distinct stages. The first stage involved letting go of past practices, symbolically compared to an eagle shedding feathers for growth. Next came a period of neutrality, embracing uncertainty with resilience and adaptability. Finally, he entered a phase of new beginnings, focusing on refining his leadership approach for the oil and gas industry.
Working closely with Gokhan, an experienced coach from Europe's second-largest LPG business, Kamau remained humble and committed to learning. He embraced a student mindset, staying curious and open to new experiences. The transition became a vibrant tapestry of excitement, reflection, and occasional self-doubt.
Despite the challenges, Kamau maintained unwavering confidence. He learned to trust the process, embrace unexpected opportunities, and chart a bold course forward. His journey demonstrated the power of professional reinvention and the importance of remaining adaptable in a changing career landscape.
His time at EABL proved incredibly valuable. He developed strong skills navigating complex team dynamics and building powerful networks within the alcohol industry. However, Kamau felt ready to challenge himself beyond familiar territory. The oil and gas sector presented an exciting opportunity for personal and professional growth. With a playful nod to his scientific background, he joked about completing a journey through different states of matter after working with solids at Unilever, liquids at Coca-Cola and EABL, and now gas.
Seeking wisdom for such a dramatic career shift, Kamau turned to trusted mentors and coaches. Conversations with Andrew Musingo and John Musunga provided critical guidance. He discovered a transformative book that became his transition roadmap, emphasizing patience and thoughtful decision-making. The moments of transition were both exhilarating and challenging.
One memorable experience stood out. Watching a vessel unload gas felt like a cinematic moment. Suddenly, his high school chemistry lessons became surprisingly relevant. Technical terms like propane and butane transformed from distant memories to daily vocabulary. Proto Energy supported his journey, helping him evolve from managing functional leaders to leading leaders at a more strategic level.
Kamau approached his career transition through three distinct stages. The first stage involved letting go of past practices, symbolically compared to an eagle shedding feathers for growth. Next came a period of neutrality, embracing uncertainty with resilience and adaptability. Finally, he entered a phase of new beginnings, focusing on refining his leadership approach for the oil and gas industry.
Working closely with Gokhan, an experienced coach from Europe's second-largest LPG business, Kamau remained humble and committed to learning. He embraced a student mindset, staying curious and open to new experiences. The transition became a vibrant tapestry of excitement, reflection, and occasional self-doubt.
Despite the challenges, Kamau maintained unwavering confidence. He learned to trust the process, embrace unexpected opportunities, and chart a bold course forward. His journey demonstrated the power of professional reinvention and the importance of remaining adaptable in a changing career landscape.
