Men of Influence and You

July 2024

My journey in the Oil and Gas industry has been significantly shaped by the exceptional individuals I had the opportunity to work under. While I won't mention them by name, I want to underscore the profound impact of their mentorship on my professional growth. Their influence has not only enriched my career but also inspired me to pay it forward in the industry.

I want to start by stating that I wrote each man a letter after I retired expressing my appreciation for their mentorship. As you would guess, they all replied that it was a team effort…

It's true that it takes a team to execute a capital project of any magnitude. But it's the leadership at the top that truly drives the project to successful completion. A good team leader, with his excellent listening skills, is like a maestro molding a group of young professionals into a well-oiled machine. He instills in them the belief that they can and will help shape the project outcome. This sense of involvement and, more importantly, the sense of accomplishment once the project is complete and handed off to their customer, is what makes a successful leader.

How do you ensure your team remains motivated and feels integral to the decision-making process? Do you provide feedback immediately or wait for the dreaded annual review? In my experience, feedback, whether positive or negative, should be given in the moment. It's crucial not to let a team member walk away with the misconception that their idea has been accepted and will be implemented. By providing immediate feedback, you keep your team informed and engaged, avoiding the pain of correcting misunderstandings later.

So, I say what is written on my home office wall—"make today amazing." Make that special team member understand that his idea has merit and will be considered for implementation on your project. Or, let him down gently and explain why the idea will not be part of the project execution strategy