What’s a Moment in Your Career That Changed How You See Your Work? — Part 2

This month, we hear from the other half of our responders on their career-defining moments. In this column, adopted from the familiar “Heard on the Street” format, we offer our responders a chance to answer the question posed in the title. These are their replies, reported verbatim.

For the Next Generation

I had a moment one evening shortly after I took over the company, when I had started going to benchmarking. I thought about how much I was learning and how little I really knew about my newly acquired business. At that moment, safety and education became a high priority for me — not to simply depend on the team I was leaning on, but to make sure I was there to inspect what I expected. There’s nothing more important than the safety of our customers and the employees working on their appliances. It was at that point I felt [it was] not only important to make sure my team was well educated, but that our community had a better understanding of who we are and what we do. Shortly after that, I began my elementary school’s Propane Kid’s Day. There is safety and knowledge!

Judy Taranovich
Proctor Gas Inc.
Proctor, Vermont

One moment that really changed how I see my work was during an event we host every summer for kids called ‘Hometown Heroes.’ It was our first time hosting this event in 2019 and I had everything planned perfectly, from logistics to giveaways and setup. On the day of the event, what stood out to me the most wasn’t anything I had planned for or on my checklist. It was the joy on the kids’ faces as they met local heroes, climbed into a police car and … got to turn on the siren. Just as meaningful were the expressions on their caregivers’ faces, watching those moments unfold. That experience shifted my perspective. While we are, at our core, a propane and appliance company, I realized that the heart of what we do is building relationships and trust within our community. Since then, I’ve approached every event — and really, every aspect of my work — with a stronger focus on creating meaningful experiences, not just executing a plan.

Kirsten U. McAlpin
Conger LP Gas Inc.
Tifton, Georgia

When we (my father and I) bought a used, small bobtail and started to deliver with a hose and not by exchanging 100-pound cylinders.

Richard Strycharz Jr.
Walter’s Propane
Sunderland, Massachusetts

The Human Side of the Business

I have always been eager to grow in my career. Early years were full of learning from mistakes and developing my skills. Once I got into executive management, I had a much different perspective. I earned my master’s in international business in 2007. The education I received helped me immensely. It all made sense to me and now I was able to raise the bar for myself. Since then, I have been more aware of how my employees think, act and perform. I put myself in their shoes before I make hard decisions. Empathy and doing the work to make sure I was comfortable with the decisions made me gain respect from my team. We can learn something every day of our lives. I have had a rewarding career putting people and facts first.

Ed Varney
Topline Management
McKinney, Texas

Countless moments with customers have changed how I see my work. I’ve spoken with people who were cold, going through major life challenges or simply struggling to get by, and those conversations stay with you. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day of accounts, installations and deliveries, where the work can start to feel transactional. Those moments are a reminder of why we do this in the first place. There is a real human side to this business that cannot be overlooked. I truly love helping customers, and I am happiest when I leave a conversation knowing they feel relieved. I have laughed with customers, cried with them — yes, really — and made decisions that balance what is right for both the customer and the business. Those experiences have grounded me and continue to shape how I approach my work every day.

Staci Rammel
Woodruff Energy
Bridgeton, New Jersey

There was a moment when my perspective shifted: I realized I wasn’t just working for myself and my family anymore. The livelihood of our employees is tied to the decisions we make every day. That realization changed everything. It made each choice more intentional, knowing that what we decide doesn’t just impact us, but the people who trust us with their future.

Charlie Criswell
Criswell Propane Inc.
Grinnell, Iowa

A moment in my career that changed how I see my work was when I was out having dinner with a customer and we just started talking about life in general (our families, current views on politics, sports, etc.) that lasted for hours. It made me realize that work was not about just doing what your role is and servicing the customer, but also learning about who they are as a person and their background. It’s really changed how I approach talking to anyone (colleagues/friends). I’m more interested to really see how they’re doing and learning more about their background than just getting the job done because it’s a requirement we meet.

Sam Fung
Emerson Automation Solutions
McKinney, Texas

One moment in my career that reshaped my perspective on work happened when I had to call a customer to admit I’d given them the wrong answer. The experience was humbling, and it left a lasting impression. I was anxious about their reaction, convinced that I would let them down and damage their trust. However, much to my surprise, the customer was grateful for my honesty and the quick correction. This response taught me the value of transparency and integrity, even when it’s uncomfortable. I often share this story with new team members as a reminder that doing the right thing, especially when it’s difficult, builds trust and strengthens relationships.

Abby Thurston
Rural Computer Consultants
Bird Island, Minnesota

Beyond The Desk

The moment that changed how I see my work was at the age of 19. I was a college student, working my way through college. I was promoted to manager over the cashiers and bag boys (yes, we carried out groceries for our customers), and I was responsible for customer service. I was working 40-plus hours a week and taking a full load of on-campus classes. I not only thrived, but I also loved it. I no longer looked at what I did as a job. I began to see an opportunity to show my employer and my customers that my presence made a difference. I was given more opportunities, and after graduating from college I stayed in the grocery business for over 17 years before leaving and starting over in the propane business. That promotion fueled my desire to one day be an owner. Today, I’m the largest owner in our company, and I still love what I do every day.

Daniel R. Richardson
Conger LP Gas Inc.
Tifton, Georgia

I can’t point to a single turning point in my career; instead, it’s been a collection of small, meaningful moments that continuously reshape how I view my work. One moment that stands out, though, was when my professional skills supported a family friend’s mission to raise awareness and funding for metastatic breast cancer research. Collaborating with a dedicated team to plan events, create promotional materials and expand outreach showed me that my work has value far beyond the office. It can strengthen communities, elevate important causes and bring people together in ways that feel both purposeful and deeply human.

Lucy Shaffer
Shaffer’s Bottled Gas Inc.
Hooversville, Pennsylvania

Lessons Learned From Career-Defining Moments

Whether you experienced a clear “aha moment” or learned something through trial and error, each of these moments shapes how we approach our work. By refining our processes, rethinking our strategies and remaining open to change, we continuously improve. Ultimately, it’s this willingness to learn that drives progress, strengthens our work and helps us achieve greater success over time.

I also wanted to note that Judy Taranovich is retiring and embarking on a new chapter. Judy, we wish you all the best and thank you for the meaningful contributions you’ve shared with us.