In a message that resonated across the energy industry, Denise Hamilton, CEO and Founder of WatchHerWork, called on attendees to “reclaim real human connection” during her keynote address at the 2025 Women’s Global Leadership Conference in Energy (WGLC), hosted by Gulf Energy Information.
Denise Hamilton, CEO and Founder of WatchHerWork
Speaking to a full ballroom at the Marriott Marquis hotel in downtown Houston, Hamilton delivered her keynote, “In Person: The Science and Art of Human Connection.” Her talk blended psychology, storytelling and humor to explore how trust, empathy and intentional communication remain essential leadership skills in an increasingly digital and globalized energy industry.
“In a world that feels more connected yet more divided than ever, we have to be intentional about building relationships that matter,” Hamilton said. “You don’t accidentally build a relationship. You have to do it on purpose.”
Hamilton emphasized that in an industry increasingly shaped by AI, remote collaboration and automation, the ability to connect meaningfully is becoming a critical leadership differentiator. “Unplug and find real human connection,” she urged.
Go analog. Hamilton challenged attendees to prioritize authentic communication through ‘old-fashioned’ methods—phone calls, handwritten notes and genuine conversation. “Our kids are afraid to talk to each other in real time,” she said. “These tools we have are amazing, but they shouldn’t replace an actual human connection.”
Reach across generations. Hamilton next described methods to encourage conversation across age groups—a skill she said the energy sector needs to nurture, as it balances legacy expertise with next-generation innovation. “We are losing our ability to talk across generations,” she said. “There’s something to be learned from every generation—don’t move in packs of your own age group.”
Build an actionable network. Hamilton also underscored the value of a true network that can support professional advancement in a dynamic, cyclical industry. “If you have hundreds of contacts in your phone but no one to call when you need help, that’s not a network,” she said.
As the industry navigates digital transformation, Hamilton closed with a challenge to reclaim focus and humanity. “The average person’s attention span is now 8.25 seconds,” she said. “Our attention is being grabbed at every turn. Read longer, put down distractions, touch some grass—get outside and do something real.”
Prioritize tangible connections. Hamilton wrapped up her speech by acknowledging the rapid rise of AI across sectors, including energy. She added: “AI is going to do a lot of things better than us, but it’s never going to out-human us. Let’s stay connected.”
The morning session was chaired by Pearl Chu, Director of Technical Domains & University Relations at SLB, who highlighted the company’s two-decade sponsorship of the event and expressed appreciation to those behind its continued success.
“SLB has been a proud sponsor of this conference since its inception more than 20 years ago,” Chu said. “I’m honored to serve as your chairperson, and I’d like to thank Rachel McGhie and Melissa Smith for doing such a great job of organizing this event and bringing us all together once again.”
