Quick Look:
- Client: Kent Larson, former Group Vice President, Xcel Energy
- Services: Board Readiness
- Consultant: Patti O’Leary
- Value: Improving his board interviews by focusing on governance
More than most, Kent Larson understands the value of advance planning. After all, there’s little margin for error when heading up operations at Xcel Energy, one of the Midwest’s largest public utilities. So it’s not surprising that when approaching retirement, he engaged the experts at Navigate Forward to prepare for corporate board service.
“You don’t get very many chances at board roles,” Larson noted. “Coaching can definitely help you improve your overall approach—your resume, your search approach and your interviewing skills.”
Today, fully retired after a 38-year career in the utility sector, Kent serves on three boards. All relate to his passion and experience in energy, operations, safety and large-scale transformation.
Adolphson & Peterson Construction is a family-owned commercial construction firm. Quanta Services West, a public company, provides the complex infrastructure to support a variety of systems, from telecom and electricity to gas and wind power. Kent’s third board of director position supports Northwestern Energy, an electric and gas utility serving South Dakota, Montana and Nebraska.
Learning to Interview as a Director, Not a CEO
A missed opportunity prompted Larson to contact Navigate Forward and begin a Board Readiness engagement. Two years before retiring, he interviewed for a board position that was a good fit for his skills. However, he failed to receive an offer.
You don’t get very many chances at board roles. Coaching can definitely help you improve your approach.
It didn’t take long for Patti O’Leary, Board Readiness Practice Lead and a former executive search consultant, to pinpoint the problem. Board interviews require demonstrating governance and thought leadership—asking smart questions and advising others rather than making hands-on decisions. Larson was confident and knew his subject matter well, but needed to shift from operational thinking to that of a director.
“Patti’s wonderful. She’s a perfect match for me. Her direct style was just what I needed,” Larson said.
The two spent time in mock interviews.
“Patti would say, ‘Great interview, if you’re going for a CEO position. But if you’re going for a board position, your response needs to be strategic and long-term.’ It was changing the way I said it, not what I said. It was very helpful,” he explained.
Networking Leads to Three Board Opportunities
This subtle but powerful change injected new momentum into Larson’s board search. A versatile operations executive with extensive experience leading enterprise-wide turnarounds and new business initiatives, Larson was a match for boards in a variety of sectors. He’d also served previously on non-profit boards in the Twin Cities, and for more than 20 years on the board of the American Gas Association (AGA), an influential trade group.
After I finished my coaching with Navigate Forward, I interviewed and received an offer; the CEO said that I blew them away in the interview
“I worked with all parts of Xcel’s business—operations, sales, business development, regulatory, community, and many others. I had responsibility for corporate earnings over my last nine years, where our market cap grew by a multiple of three,” Larson noted. “When looking for corporate boards, I needed to find companies where I could leverage these talents and skills.”
He worked with Navigate Forward to optimize his professional narrative, create a winning board bio, and update his LinkedIn presence. Next, he activated his extensive national network.
“I sent my board bio to people, mostly CEOs that I knew from AGA or industry work, saying I’d just retired and I’d be interested in talking about board positions. I sent a dozen out and everyone was willing to meet with me except one,” he recalled.
It was changing the way I said it, not what I said. It was very helpful.
The meetings paid off: Larson found all three of his current boards through his networking connections. This time, every interview was a success.
“After I finished my coaching with Navigate Forward, I interviewed and received an offer. I was told by the CEO that going in, I had a minimal chance of success because I didn’t meet their requirements,” Larson recalled. “Afterward, the CEO said that I blew them away in the interview.”
He added, “It’s because I researched that company extensively. I was extremely well prepared. I knew their strengths and opportunities and how I could contribute as a director.”
Advises Others to Join Boards Before Retirement
Larson is content with his current slate of companies. Others appreciate his efforts as well. He received a distinguished service award in 2020 from the AGA for his lifetime contributions to the gas industry. This fall, Twin Cities Business magazine will honor him as a 2024 Outstanding Director.
He advises other aspiring directors to follow the same principles he does:
“One, stay at the governance level,” Larson said. “Two, you’ve got to be prepared, really thinking about where the industry and economy are going—it’s not just about being prepared for the board meeting. Three, when you’re in the meeting, make sure you’re reasonably concise and direct. At the board level, people have less time. Pick and choose what you want to focus on.”
When I was working, I thought I was way too busy for board service. Now, I realize it would’ve been a benefit due to the experience.
He also recommends finding complementary board opportunities while working full-time. Even though Larson interacted with the Xcel board regularly—especially while serving as coordinating officer for the operations, nuclear, environmental and safety committee—there’s no substitute for actually being in a director seat.
“When I was working, I thought I was way too busy for board service,” he recalled. “Now, I realize it would’ve been a benefit for the company more than a distraction due to the experience I would’ve gained.”
Is board service in your future? Download our free Board Readiness resource guide with essential tips for board candidates, including a seven-point self-assessment to identify your own board readiness.
