Crystal Moore, Climate Resilience Deputy Director, Environment Agency

Posted by Ruth Chapman

19 October 2022

Crystal Moore has had fascinating and very successful career in the Environment Agency for over 20 years. Crystal has a doctorate from the University of Exeter and is well known at the Met Office having been Deputy Director at the Flood Forecasting Centre, a partnership between the Environment Agency and the Met Office for more than 6 years. More recently she has taken on the important role of Climate Resilience Deputy Director, involving the strategic design and evaluation of climate and human emergency response options for the largest environmental regulator in Europe. Now, Crystal is seconded to the Infrastructure Industry Innovation Partnership (i3P), to help transform how the infrastructure industry’s carbon intensity, safety and productivity. She likes to think big, have fun and get stuff done.

On the idea of feminine leadership

Here at WiC we often find ourselves thinking about and discussing leadership. Crystal made some great points about feminine leadership. It does not come from an anti-masculine foundation but recognises the importance of both traditionally feminine and masculine behaviours in decision making and leadership. Be authentic and true to yourself and using this authenticity become a good leader. The work system is built to a masculine template and supports masculine leadership styles. You need to find your leadership style, help to re-write and update the template and do not apologise for it. Understand yourself, understand your power, understand the needs of others, be vulnerable and be inclusive. Look after your energy, and that of your team. Don’t wait until the last minute in meetings to suggest ideas – go for it! Want to be a woman and a leader? You can do that! Want to be a mother and a scientist? You can absolutely do that! Slow down and ask yourself if you need to do it all at the same time? You can have it all, perhaps it’s not the most feminine behaviour to try to have it all at the same time and in doing so, become unbalanced? Manage your energy, your career will have many chapters. It’s possibly a 50 year marathon, not a sprint!. Look out for experiences and grow belief that you can do it.

Career path

Crystal shared with us her incredibly inspiring career story, highlighting her work in the pharmaceutical industry, consultancy for both charities and public sector, and working for a large public sector organisation. An interesting point that Crystal made, which reminded us of a previous WiC event with Catherine Bradshaw who shared a similar view, is that thinking of your career path as a linear line of successes is a very masculine perspective. Think instead of your career path as experiences and skills you acquire (and enjoy!) and can transfer to exciting new horizons.

How to be successful and stay happy in your job

It is all about your team. Work with people that energize you, not drain you.
Go where your passion lies.
Look out for mentors.
Use a coach to help straighten out wonky thinking – it is fundamental that you are you, and you conserve your energy, for your well-being.
Think experiences (will this experience make me more rounded?)
Create a work environment that works for you.
Step off the precipice every now and again – try new adventures.
Stay inspired

Three things a coach could help you to think about, especially in transitions:

Setting clear boundaries
Knowing what you are good at
What value does it bring to me?
Asking for help!

What is a coach vs a mentor I hear you ask?

A coach can ask powerful questions and help support a person in deciding a course of action for themselves. A mentor can tell you what they did/learned and can be much more involved in knowing you over a longer period. You develop trust which can help with making consecutive decisions.

This was an extremely interesting and motivational meeting, and we are grateful to Crystal for sharing her experience and time with us.