Abstract
As oil and gas industry technical professionals land their first supervisory roles, gaps in their leadership skills often become apparent. Years of technical education and training have prepared them well for roles as individual technical contributors, but stronger business, management, and leadership skills are needed as they move into emerging leadership roles in which they direct others.
Competency assessments of first-level supervisors and mid-career experienced hires are conducted to determine mission-critical leadership gaps. This process is done in alignment with competency-focused job descriptions that enumerate key soft skills needed in each leadership role and build on a sound foundation of technical competency. Bringing emerging leaders together as a group enhances their networking opportunities as they advance through the program; including experienced hires helps them become attuned to the company's management style. Learning opportunities can include face-to-face instruction, webinars, e-learning, online resources, exercises, business simulations, and coaching and mentoring.
Building future leaders is key to succession planning. Introducing experienced hires to the leadership styles of the company ensures the successful integration of new talent into the team. A competency-based approach to assessing emerging leaders provides the roadmap for creating a deep bench of candidates for future roles in executive management. Experienced instructors and mentors are crucial to ensuring the leadership program delivery is aligned with the corporate mission, vision and values. The delivery of the leadership development program can be self-sustaining if program graduates and external expert facilitators are incorporated into the delivery of the program to future cohorts.
Technical professionals progress through supervisory/management positions on their respective career ladders primarily by ‘learning on the job' rather than through formal training. This paper looks at differences between the current state of supervisory development and what professionals actually need in leadership skills. These are new skills needed for transitioning from supervisor/manager to an effective leader. New methods of digital delivery allow greater interaction between participants and instructors. Building an innovative leadership development program enhances the company's brand and attracts and retains top talent.
Emerging Leaders Alliance; TMS ICME Implementation Study Update
