Counties Energy Hosts Future Leaders for Shadow a Leader 2025
Understanding leadership is not something that can be learned solely from lectures or textbooks. The real insights often come from watching how leaders operate in real time.
The “Shadow a Leader” programme invites Aotearoa New Zealand’s leaders to provide an opportunity for an Auckland University of Technology (AUT) business and law student and an Auckland secondary school student to shadow them. It is an innovative, industry focused, and educational initiative designed to support the development of our country’s future leaders.
Recently, Counties Energy welcomed Ashwin Jothi (Master of Business Management at AUT) and Nishika Singh (Year-12 student at Manurewa High School) into our business to observe first hand giving the challenges and opportunities of modern leadership.
Students spent the day alongside a range of leaders, including the Chief Executive and the Chief Financial Officer, as well as leaders in digital, safety, culture, and sustainability.
They observed teams’ daily operations and how each area contributes to the communities and customers we serve. The day also included time in strategic meetings and a visit to a substation with the Health & Safety team.
AUT students are typically chosen for the programme in their final year based on academic results, experience in leadership roles and on recommendations. Secondary school students are nominated by teachers for their leadership potential, often shown through initiatives like the Young Enterprise Scheme.
While the day offers broad exposure, it is the conversations that make the experience truly meaningful, here is what Ashwin and Nishika had to say about their day with us:
“I just wanted to extend a sincere thank you for the opportunity to spend last Wednesday at Counties Energy as part of the “Shadow a Leader” day.
I felt incredibly welcomed and supported throughout the day. A special thanks to Tayla for her care and coordination, and to Ashwin for his guidance and mentorship. I also want to acknowledge Tracey Kay for generously sharing her knowledge and expertise – it was truly inspiring.
It was an incredible experience being able to engage with the CEO, CFO, and other key leaders. The conversations gave me valuable insight into leadership, business, and the real-world dynamics of a successful company. I also enjoyed learning more about the electrical industry and the important work Counties Energy does for the community.
Thank you again for the hospitality, the delicious food, and most of all, the meaningful and enriching experience. I’m very grateful for the opportunity. I was privileged with the opportunity to spend the day with an amazing organisation!”
Nishika Singh
“I had a wonderful experience yesterday visiting Counties Energy. I really got a lot of inspiration listening to all your journeys and absolutely blew my mind.
Tracey and Judy – Thank you for your candid and powerful insights on leadership, especially in traditionally male-dominated spaces. Your openness and authenticity were really meaningful for me.
Moonis – It was incredibly motivating to hear from someone who has grown into such a pivotal leadership role at a young age. Your journey and perspective really resonated with me.
Andrew and Lorne – I greatly appreciated the valuable perspectives you shared around commercial strategy and finance. It was very informative for me.
Craig – Thank you for taking the time to walk me through the substation visit. It gave me a whole new appreciation for the scale and complexity of the work you do. It was very interesting.
Tayla – A huge thank you for coordinating everything so smoothly and making me feel welcome throughout.
I would be very happy and privileged if I get to work with and learn from the brilliant minds at Counties Energy in the future. Thank you all again for your time, insights and being very candid with me. It meant a lot to me. “
Ashwin Baskar
These reflections highlight just how powerful it can be to step outside the classroom and into a working environment. From observing leadership styles to understanding how different parts of a business connect, students come away with insights that can shape their career direction.
The value of the experience flows both ways. Our people were energised by the students’ curiosity and questions, and many found themselves reflecting on their own leadership journeys. It was a reminder of how important it is to create space for emerging talent to learn, observe, and grow.
