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KLI @ ILA
Igniting Change Panel with Marilyn & Dr. Tan
Professor David Day was honored as one of 3 Lifetime Achievement Award Winners, along with Gail T. Fairhurst, Ph.D. and Robert C. Liden, Ph.D.
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A Transformational and Path-Goal Leadership Approach for Advancing Nuclear Energy Davis Eglin, Max Jackman, Ava Kopp, Kaavya Narayan Claremont McKenna College
Leadership Theory
Background
Solutions
Increasing standardization, decreasing stigma, and increasing reactor deployment requires strong leadership to build public trust and overcome bureaucratic obstacles. Transformational leadership and Path-Goal theory provide valuable models to help reinvigorate individuals’ motivation to implement nuclear energy and foster support for navigating obstacles.
1. Cleanliness: Nuclear is the cleanest energy source, with the lowest carbon emissions. 2. Safety: It ranks as the second safest form of energy based on accident and emission-related deaths. 3. Reliability: Unlike solar and wind, nuclear provides consistent energy without latency issues. 4. Cost-Effectiveness: According to the IEA, nuclear is the cheapest energy source per MWh based on levelised generation costs. Increasingly, nuclear energy is materializing as a way to provide a consistent energy resource, unlike intermittent options such as wind, solar, or hydropower. In order to implement it, the U.S. needs a leadership-based approach to combat stigma and policy obstacles. As we face the urgent demand to address climate change and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, nuclear energy has emerged as a viable—albeit controversial—option for producing clean, low-carbon power. Why Nuclear? SDG #15, “Life On Land,” advocates for “promoting a sustainable use of our ecosystems.” As our planet’s land sees increasing deforestation, demands for energy, and fossil fuel usage, the need to protect our Earth’s valuable resources is more imperative than ever. In particular, a shift from our current methods of energy such as coal, oil, and natural gas—finite resources that damage ecosystems—is necessary. The conclusion is simple: the United States, requires a transformation of our current energy portfolio.
Public Information Campaign
Grounded in transformational and path-goal theories to educate the public about nuclear’s low levelized cost of electricity, mitigate concerns about waste and health risks, and drive national implementation. Hosting Open Houses and VR Experiences
Transformational Leadership
Definition: Transformational leadership involves inspiring followers to commit to a shared vision through an exceptional form of influence that moves them to accomplish more than what is expected (Bass and Riggio, 2006).
Leadership Application: Foster idealized influence by allowing public to see nuclear energy practices firsthand–building trust
Open houses and VR tours at nuclear facilities to offer the public a transparent, immersive look at operations
Four Factors of Transformational Leadership Idealized Influence
Creating Educational Media Campaigns
Transparency in the nuclear energy processes helps to role model the clean alternative of nuclear energy for followers.
Media created with environmental advocates and policymakers can spark interest in nuclear energy
Leadership Application: Draws on inspirational motivation, presenting nuclear energy as a hopeful solution
Inspirational Motivation
Displaying optimism for the prospect of nuclear and articulating a compelling vision for the future will motivates followers.
Intellectual Stimulation
Integrating Nuclear Energy into STEM Education
Challenge norms + reframe the problem of climate change and nuclear energy. Stimulate followers’ efforts to be innovative.
Leadership Application: Intellectually stimulates students to explore nuclear energy, aligning with path-goal theory by closing knowledge gap
Include nuclear energy in STEM programs to encourage students to explore nuclear energy’s potential
Individualized Consideration
Pay attention to individual followers’ stigmas and needs for clarity on nuclear energy–through coaching and mentorship
Path Goal Leadership Theory
Policy Recommendations
Definition: Path-Goal Theory in leadership is an approach for leaders to enhance motivation and performance of their followers by 1) providing a clear path, 2) defining goals, 3) removing obstacles, and 4) providing support.
Our policy recommendations are rooted in the Path-Goal approach, aiming to clear the path toward adopting nuclear energy and remove obstacles along the way.
Standardization
Four Leadership Behaviors
Standardized approach to reactor design allowing mass production of reactor components
Reduces costs, improves construction timelines, simplifies training for operators
Participative: Engages stakeholders in political decision-making
Supportive: Builds trust and reduces public fears
Achievement Oriented:
Directive:
Clarifies nuclear processes and regulation
Sets ambitious goals for standardization, safety, and policy
Levelized Cost of Electricity by Technology
Data pulled from OurWorldInData.com
change.
Leaders should clarify goals through public messaging campaigns to tie advancing nuclear energy as the best tool to maximize results in fighting the climate crisis. Leaders should help remove obstacles and provide support for editing or changing intricate regulatory policy through legislative bodies or agencies.
To change policy, you need a leader who can enhance motivation and performance among divided, polarized followers. We advocate for usage of all four leadership behaviors (directive, supportive, participative, and achievement-oriented) to tackle complex regulatory hurdles and galvanize divided followers.
Follower Characteristics: Need for clarity, desire for support, preference for involvement, & high achievement drive
Student Case Competition: Davis Eglin ‘26, Max Jackman ’25, Ava Kopp ‘25, and Kaavya Narayan ‘25
Simplify Environmental Review Procedures
Reforming environmental reviews and implementing categorical exclusions is key to reducing nuclear development delays.
Allow certain reactor upgrades to bypass full reviews if they meet safety criteria + eliminate need for new reviews on each project
Task Characteristics: highly technical, skepticism, interdependency, strict
standards
Removing Foreign Technology Export Restrictions
Reforming or abolishing the 123 agreements could streamline export process
US companies could compete globally while guiding peaceful nuclear use
Motivation
Followers
Goals
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