The Energy Workforce & Technology Council celebrated graduates of the sixth Executive Leadership Program cohort during a virtual meeting January 28.
“I applaud your decision to invest time and energy in developing the crucial skills that will give you a firm foundation for success,” Council Co-Chair Rod Larson, President & CEO, Oceaneering, told attendees. “I encourage you to continue exploring new ideas and different ways of thinking. Ask probing questions to gain insights and guidance. Seek opportunities to form partnerships for mutual learning, development and growth.”
The Executive Leadership Program has a year-long curriculum consisting of four half-day interactive remote seminars, one-on-one executive coaching sessions, mentorship, and networking. The program has three tracks — Engaging Leadership, Advanced Business Development, and Strategic & Branded Executive — designed to provide participants with knowledge and skills needed to become more effective leaders throughout their careers.
The 2020 cohort graduated more than 115 participants from 33 companies.
“The pandemic forced us to be adaptable, nimble, and resourceful,” said Emerging Executives Committee Chair Omeid Rahimian, Oceaneering, during the graduation meeting. “We shifted to a remote setting, and along the way discovered formats and structures that deepened engagement and increased value. In short, we were faced with a challenge, we listened, we collaborated, and we innovated. These are all core behaviors of successful leaders.”
Nichola Alexander, Rubicon Oilfield International, who was in the graduating class, said the program offered significant value by revealing strengths and areas for improvement.
“Spending one-on-one time with my coach allowed me the time to focus on developing my skills to become a better leader,” Alexander said. “I also realized that I was so busy trying to develop and coach my team, that I never made the time for my own development. It’s never a waste to give yourself time for development, learning and creativity. Participating in the program did exactly that.”
The program’s value was also recognized by GR Energy Services’ Jeff Wilhelm, as both a mentor and a business leader.
“Working with intelligent and successful individuals is so rewarding because of the impact it makes on me as an individual,” Wilhelm said. “As the graduates I worked with pursue the goals we discussed, I take a lot of satisfaction from our regular meetings and the connections we made.”
“This is my third year sending individuals in my organization to the program,” Wilhelm continued. “The program is a motivating factor for them. It gives them a different perspective than my own from mentors and peers. We will continue to invest in the program because it generates powerful results.”
Dustin Anderson, Kimray, said he enrolled in this year’s program as an update for his leadership approach and to evaluate it for other Kimray employees in the future.
“I got a lot more out of it than a refresher of business development skills,” Anderson said. “The calls with my mentor gave me a calming and encouraging voice during the downturn. It was more than a program and he helped keep my eye on long-term goals while still managing the short-term crisis. We’re definitely sending more people through the program.”
Registration is currently underway for the 2021 program, which begins later this month. Visit the events page for more information.
