Reflections... SQCT - from Training to Triumph
What a great 2 weeks we had for our SQCT events @ the LDC. There are many positive things I saw and heard. Below are a few of my reflections.
⭐ Celebrating our Award Nominees … Recognizing excellence matters. Honoring our Craft People of the Year and Presidential Award nominees reminded us that strong culture is built by individuals who give their very best each day, inspiring us all to follow their example. This is one of my favorite events each year because we get to celebrate the best of the best, many who bring their families, reminding us of the sacrifices made by those who take care of the home while we work to keep the lights on. It’s also a tough night for me because choosing just 1 winner is not easy. Congratulations again to all our nominees and winners. You set the standard for excellence.
🤝 The Power of Connection … The tailgate dinner was more than just a fun evening—it was a chance to connect, share stories, and strengthen the relationships that fuel great teamwork. Moments like these remind us that culture is lived both on and off the job site. I really enjoyed just talking to folks about life - our families, our communities, our hobbies – while having a little competitive fun. (Any challenges for a cornhole contest? Bring it on.)
😊 Personal Resilience … Strong leadership begins with personal resilience. Investing in our own growth helps us stay balanced, adapt to challenges, and lead others more effectively. This focus was at the heart of our recent training sessions. YOU are the heart of our business. As you heard from our guest speaker, Zach Sorensen, find your 14:24 and make your commitment to being 1% better where it matters most.
P.S. my 14:24 commitment is daily Artificial Intelligence muscle building, i.e., investing that time each day to build my competency and use of AI.
è Kicking Off Outage Season & Takeaway Cards … As we shift into fall outage season, the energy from our summer training serves as a springboard. Together, we’ve built the foundation for successful work ahead—and as you heard from our guest speaker, EPRI, the role we have in the mission to provide power is critical for our country and world.
Our Takeaway Card attached is more than a handout—it’s a daily guide. It outlines strategies for safety and quality excellence, standard operations to deliver SQDC, and practicing personal resilience. Leaders and teams alike can use these simple tools to make a big impact.
🙌 Closing Out SQCT with a Thank YOU! … As we closed out our training week, we were reminded that safety and quality aren’t just checkboxes—they’re the foundation of everything we do. The energy, engagement, and feedback from both our gas and steam divisions reaffirmed our dedication to building a stronger culture together. Thank you to each person who made time to plan, attend, and support the meeting. It’s a huge investment of time, energy, and funds, and we are confident it will yield a high return.
A special highlight for me was to watch some of our newer leaders and our veteran Superintendents deliver sessions to the attendees, often in collaboration together. We build a championship “locker room” when we are coaching each other.
📣 Share Your Voice in Our Post Event Survey … Our goal is continuous improvement, and your feedback is the key. By sharing your thoughts in the post-event survey, you help us create events that are even more impactful, meaningful, and beneficial for everyone involved. We aim to get better every time we have this event.
Again, THANK YOU ALL! for a great 2 weeks. I have confidence in our APM to deliver an excellent fall outage season and finish 2025 strong!
R. Jake Locklear