LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM A SKATEBOARD, BY TIFFANY CROWL

October 15, 2026

When people hear that I work in measurement compliance, their eyes sometimes glaze over because let's be honest - it's usually not the first thing people think of when they imagine an exciting career in the energy industry.

But what I've learned over the years is that every role has a bigger story behind it. For me, measurement has never just been about numbers, audits, systems, or regulations. It's been about solving problems, building relationships, and creating opportunities for others to grow.

That realization has shaped not only my career but also how I choose to lead. In fact, one of the most important leadership lessons I ever learned had nothing to do with energy, compliance, or business at all. It started on a skateboard in rural Nebraska.

I grew up in a small town in Nebraska where skateboarding wasn't exactly glamorous. The sidewalks were cracked, buckled, and uneven. I'd make it a few feet before hitting a bump, jumping off, and starting over. Then I'd go a little farther before getting thrown off again.

It wasn't graceful, and it certainly wasn't easy. But it was the only way to get where I wanted to go.

There was one stretch of road along the highway that had just been repaved. It was smooth, fast, and almost effortless. My friends and I loved that stretch because once you got there, you could fly. The problem was that getting there required navigating all the rough pavement first.

The older I've gotten, the more I realize careers and leadership work the same way. We all want the smooth stretch. We want the promotion, the successful project, the confidence, and the momentum. We want the moments when everything seems to click.

But most careers, and certainly mine, look a lot more like those Nebraska sidewalks. They're filled with unexpected bumps, detours, setbacks, and moments where you wonder if you're making any progress at all.

Looking back, those cracked sidewalks prepared me better for my career than I could have imagined. Every new system, every unfamiliar responsibility, every leadership opportunity started the same way: a little uncomfortable, a little uncertain, and worth pursuing anyway.

Growing Through Change
One of the greatest lessons I've learned in my career is that growth rarely happens when we're comfortable.

Recently, our team underwent significant change, including onboarding several new analysts while implementing new training programs and processes. Like many organizations, we were balancing day-to-day responsibilities while preparing the next generation of employees to succeed. Instead of relying solely on traditional training methods, we created opportunities for every analyst to both learn and teach. 

Watching team members step into educator roles, share their expertise, and build confidence has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. Seeing analysts who were once learning new concepts become the people teaching them reinforced something I've come to believe deeply: growth accelerates when we give people the opportunity to lead.

There's something powerful about realizing you know enough to teach someone else. And there's something equally powerful about seeing someone discover that within themselves.

Leadership Isn't a Title
For a long time, I thought leadership was something that came with a title. I don't believe that anymore.

Some of the strongest leaders I've worked alongside have never had "manager" in their job description. They are the people who show up consistently, help others succeed, ask thoughtful questions, and make the team better simply because they're part of it. I've been fortunate to work with individuals who demonstrate that kind of leadership every day. They remind me that influence isn't earned through authority; it's earned through trust.

As women in energy, we sometimes underestimate the impact we're making because we're focused on the next goal, project, or challenge. Yet often the people around us are learning from our example even when we don't realize it. Someone is always watching how we handle adversity, navigate change, and support our colleagues.

That's leadership.

Finding Community Through WEN
One of the reasons I value Women's Energy Network so much is because it creates space for those connections.

Throughout my career, I've benefited from mentors who were willing to answer questions, provide guidance, and encourage me to pursue opportunities that initially felt outside my comfort zone. WEN has allowed me to both receive and give that same support.

Serving on the Board of Directors and helping establish the WEN Greater Oklahoma Foundation has been especially meaningful because it combines two things I'm passionate about: investing in women and creating access to opportunities. Throughout my career, people opened doors for me, offered guidance, and believed in me before I fully believed in myself. Helping create those same opportunities for others feels like one of the most meaningful ways I can give back. 

I firmly believe that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not always equally distributed. Organizations like WEN play an important role in helping close that gap by building networks, developing leaders, and creating pathways for growth.

The Importance of Giving Back
As our careers progress, it's easy to focus on what's next: The next promotion. The next project. The next achievement. But I think some of the most meaningful work happens when we pause to ask ourselves a different question: "Who am I helping succeed?"

Whether it's mentoring a new employee, volunteering with a professional organization, supporting a scholarship program, or simply sharing lessons learned, we all have something valuable to offer.

The energy industry needs experienced professionals who are willing to invest in the future workforce. And it needs women who are willing to raise their hands, share their stories, and remind others that there is more than one way to build a successful career.

My Takeaway
If there's one thing I'd like readers to walk away with, it's this:

• Don't wait until you feel like an expert to contribute. 
• Don't wait until you have the perfect title to lead. 
• And don't underestimate the impact of sharing your knowledge with someone who is just starting their journey.

The opportunities that have shaped my career came from people who took the time to invest in me. Today, I try to honor that gift by doing the same for others.

Looking back, I'm grateful for every cracked sidewalk and rough stretch along the way. They taught me resilience. They taught me patience. Most importantly, they taught me that success isn't about reaching the smooth road by yourself. Because at the end of the day, the greatest leaders aren't the ones who make it to the smooth road first. They're the ones who turn around and help others get there too.

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Tiffany Crowl
Board Chair, WEN Greater Oklahoma Foundation
Measurement Compliance Specialist, ONEOK