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We Took the Risk: The Stories Behind the Early Risk Takers in the U.S. Renewable Energy Industry and the Leadership Traits that Made Them a Success
Renewables are not for everyone.
It takes a passionate professional that's ready to take on risk and truly commit to impacting the world around them. But how do you assess the risks that are worthwhile to take? How did renewables start in the U.S. and who took the first risks in growing the industry? What traits did they embody?
We Took the Risk dives into the personal journeys of 25 executives who, through their own combination of traits, took on the challenges of an early U.S. renewable energy industry. Far from being a self-improvement book or a glorified "who's who" run down, this book provides a backdrop by which to juxtaposition your own career journey. Author Tom Weirich lets you view the beginnings of the industry as if you were there, lock in step with these entrepreneurial leaders as they sift through decisions that would forever impact the trajectory of renewables in the U.S.
We Took the Risk serves to empower and remind that no matter where you are in your own renewables journey, we all have the power to make an impact. We just have to take the risk.
It takes a passionate professional that's ready to take on risk and truly commit to impacting the world around them. But how do you assess the risks that are worthwhile to take? How did renewables start in the U.S. and who took the first risks in growing the industry? What traits did they embody?
We Took the Risk dives into the personal journeys of 25 executives who, through their own combination of traits, took on the challenges of an early U.S. renewable energy industry. Far from being a self-improvement book or a glorified "who's who" run down, this book provides a backdrop by which to juxtaposition your own career journey. Author Tom Weirich lets you view the beginnings of the industry as if you were there, lock in step with these entrepreneurial leaders as they sift through decisions that would forever impact the trajectory of renewables in the U.S.
We Took the Risk serves to empower and remind that no matter where you are in your own renewables journey, we all have the power to make an impact. We just have to take the risk.
Hardcover
Published September 24, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 26, 2022
A very detailed perspective on some of the key players who built the U.S. renewable energy industry, "We Took the Risk" helps us understand the leadership traits that helped build a trillion dollar industry. The book weaves together the stories of these diverse founders across industries and timespans, from policy and finance to technology/engineering and marketing.
Each chapter focuses on an individual or team and their renewables journey, and highlights one key leadership trait they possessed. Newcomers to the renewables space may need to read the book twice (or might benefit from knowing this before starting to read) - once to focus in on the leadership traits and once to absorb the historical timeline and key players in the U.S.'s renewables history. I'm an audiobook kind of person, but I dove head first into the paper copy, which allowed me to go easily go back to previous chapters as I began connecting the dots from a historical perspective throughout the chapters. I'm definitely taking another read once the audiobook is available.
What I liked most about reading this book is that Tom's style is approachable. He deconstructed my feelings of imposter syndrome as a new entrant into renewables right up front with his references to gathering around the oak tree, a concept I understood immediately as a child of the 80s. Though I found the sheer amount of detail somewhat overwhelming at first (e.g., names and acronyms of all the organizations, tax credits), I was constantly reassured by Tom's narrative that the renewables space was built by and would be carried into the future by a "coalition of the willing" - those who believe in the industry and choose to be part of it, no matter how we got here or where we are in our career journey, because ALL of our skillsets (and traits) are needed to advance the vision of decarbonization.
I believe Tom has succeeded in creating the proverbial "oak tree" with "We Took the Risk" - and the timing is right. Not only are Gen Z and the Alpha generation being raised with a heightened awareness of climate change, more experienced professionals are turning their eyes to using their unique gifts and talents to combatting climate change and to the booming opportunities in the renewable energy industry. This book provides a great foundation for understanding what it took to get us here, and what it will take to get us to a net zero future.
Each chapter focuses on an individual or team and their renewables journey, and highlights one key leadership trait they possessed. Newcomers to the renewables space may need to read the book twice (or might benefit from knowing this before starting to read) - once to focus in on the leadership traits and once to absorb the historical timeline and key players in the U.S.'s renewables history. I'm an audiobook kind of person, but I dove head first into the paper copy, which allowed me to go easily go back to previous chapters as I began connecting the dots from a historical perspective throughout the chapters. I'm definitely taking another read once the audiobook is available.
What I liked most about reading this book is that Tom's style is approachable. He deconstructed my feelings of imposter syndrome as a new entrant into renewables right up front with his references to gathering around the oak tree, a concept I understood immediately as a child of the 80s. Though I found the sheer amount of detail somewhat overwhelming at first (e.g., names and acronyms of all the organizations, tax credits), I was constantly reassured by Tom's narrative that the renewables space was built by and would be carried into the future by a "coalition of the willing" - those who believe in the industry and choose to be part of it, no matter how we got here or where we are in our career journey, because ALL of our skillsets (and traits) are needed to advance the vision of decarbonization.
I believe Tom has succeeded in creating the proverbial "oak tree" with "We Took the Risk" - and the timing is right. Not only are Gen Z and the Alpha generation being raised with a heightened awareness of climate change, more experienced professionals are turning their eyes to using their unique gifts and talents to combatting climate change and to the booming opportunities in the renewable energy industry. This book provides a great foundation for understanding what it took to get us here, and what it will take to get us to a net zero future.
March 18, 2023
I am early in my renewables career, so this book was a great recap of what got the industry to where it is today, and how so many people had to take risks to make this happen.
The biggest takeaway for me in reading this book was inspiration that I can play a role in shaping the industry further. The book highlights some of the early risk takers in the industry and how their actions had an impact on shaping the industry, and it leaves you inspired that you too can make an impact.
While this book shows the reader how far the industry has come from the beginning, it is also a reminder that we are still in the very early stages and those of us who are in the industry can continue to build it and mold it into what we want it to be.
I would definitely recommend this book to people who are new to the industry and want to learn more about its history, or to anyone interested in renewables and looking to make the career switch into the industry.
The biggest takeaway for me in reading this book was inspiration that I can play a role in shaping the industry further. The book highlights some of the early risk takers in the industry and how their actions had an impact on shaping the industry, and it leaves you inspired that you too can make an impact.
While this book shows the reader how far the industry has come from the beginning, it is also a reminder that we are still in the very early stages and those of us who are in the industry can continue to build it and mold it into what we want it to be.
I would definitely recommend this book to people who are new to the industry and want to learn more about its history, or to anyone interested in renewables and looking to make the career switch into the industry.
January 16, 2023
Author Tom Weirich gives the reader a story of 25 executives who had the courage to become part of the renewable energy industry. I did not know much about this sector but after reading this book, I feel like I have a much clearer picture of the US renewable market. I am inspired to read the accounts of so many who rose up and helped make an impact that will have a positive influence for generations to come. Well done Tom & the brave risk takers. Thank you for sharing your accounts with us in this fascinating book.
November 27, 2022
Inspired
Great work, Tom. Thank you for sharing your personal journey and that of many others whose shoulders we stand on. Your book left me reenergized to continue on the journey and take the risk.
Great work, Tom. Thank you for sharing your personal journey and that of many others whose shoulders we stand on. Your book left me reenergized to continue on the journey and take the risk.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews