January Monthly Reflections

This month I would like to reflect on managing change and, particularly the impact of people changing roles.? Last month Andrew Clarke completed his tenure as the Chair of the IOGP Safety Committee and we welcomed Luca DeCarli to the role.? This recent IOGP LinkedIn post confirmed the change and the transition from Andrew to Luca.

To help with onboarding Luca in the role of Chair of the Safety Committee we have been holding virtual meetings with the Chairs of the IOGP Safety Subcommittees.? The Subcommittees are where the experts come together to develop the Safety Recommended Practices that are then published and shared with the industry.? The relationship between the Chairs is critical for the smooth running and delivery of the commitments made in the business plan.

As well as the critical task of building relationships, the meetings have been an opportunity to refresh how the teams work together and included a discussion on how the Safety Committee supports the Subcommittee and vice-versa.? For example, how the Safety Committee supports access to Member company subject matter experts and promotes the work of the Subcommittees.?

The meetings were also a chance to reflect on the benefits of active participation in the IOGP Safety Committees.? These discussions generated a substantial list of Membership benefits; however, for me, 3 recurring themes stood out…

1.?????? Building a network of peers among the IOGP Safety community. The opportunity to establish relationships and engage in peer-to-peer discussions is highly valued.? Strong cross-industry networks have developed, offering visibility and collaboration opportunities.

2.?????? Sharing personal and company experience to shape the guidance and recommended practices for the IOGP Safety documents.? Contributions from Members define the quality of IOGP Safety documents, ensuring they reflect diverse industry perspectives.

3.?????? Accelerated professional development.? Participation provides opportunities for staff to engage in the discussions and connect with industry experts, particularly during face-to-face meetings.

Whilst change creates uncertainty it is also an important opportunity to further build relationships, reflect on progress and reconnect with our purpose and the benefits of how we work together.? The ambition of the Safety Committee is to eliminate fatalities in our industry and this remains our core purpose as we manage and navigate change.?

As a closing point, building on the success of the CEDEP, SPE & IOGP Pilot Safety Leadership Academy in 2024, we will be holding 2 Academies in 2025.? I will say more about the Academy plans for 2025 in my next Monthly Reflection.? In the meantime, please contact my colleague Johana Dunlop if you are interested in learning more.