LeadershipLessons Learned the Hard Way

Presentation to BSD University

Houston, Texas - May 27, 2015

Introduction

• Photobomb, Clickbait – its important to keep on learning, nothing ever stays the same• My background;• Civil Engineering in Canada in 1980’s• Almost 20 years in pipeline operator that brought you KXL• Mid-career, went back to school to study business; MBA in 2002• Made the shift from operations to engineering, been at that for 15 years• That has been great, lived y/o worked in Latin America, USA, Middle East,

Ukraine, China• Met Rene and the BSD people in 2003 thru Colt Geomatics

Why do we need Leadership?

What does Leadership do?• Ensure work on the right things• To get things done

Why do we need Leadership?• Projects still fail• Companies still fail

On Leadership

• The essential difference between Leadership and Management is in direction setting• Being able to recognize what is needed• Having the courage to make decisions without knowing the future

The Work of Leading

Elements of Leadership• Vision• Planning• Decisions• Communication• Relationships• Integrity

Tasks of Management• Organize• Plan• Execution• Measurement• Improvement

On the work breakdown structure

• This presentation is structured around the textbook components of leadership• but the lessons learned the hard way is the magic• Its not hard, but there is nothing like having experience • Some say; you have to learn from others, there isn’t time to make all

the mistakes yourself

If you don’t have a dream,How you gonna have a dream come true?• Know your future, paint a picture of the vision - transformation• Share it, test it, develop it• Own the vision• Talk about it and push towards it• Acknowledge when something happens that moves us towards it• Be flexible, when the world changes – re-evaluate

On vision

• If it hadn’t been for the vision of one guy, we wouldn’t be here in Sugarland today• Sometimes “necessity is the mother of invention”• Real breakthrough is rare• TIP - You may find yourself in a unique place able to see what others

do not• I have an interesting combination of background in Peru and China,

this enables me to see possibilities – watch for yours

Success is in the Execution

• Leaders will always test the plan vis-à-vis the Big Picture• Roll your sleeves up and get involved

• Show Up• On Time

• With a Plan

On Planning and Executing

• When I went to Peru, there was nothing there – so we had to find out how to incorporate a company, build an office and then get going with normal business• Oh, and learn the language• Leadership is not about sitting in the big office and telling others what

to do, roll up sleeves

Don’t just stand there, do something

• Make a decision, it can (almost) always be un-done• Don’t let “Sunk Cost” mentality get in the way• Risk based analysis – Monte Carlo simulation• But don’t forget Market Conditions

On Decision Making

• Tip – imagine you are having the conversation with someone, does your decision make sense?

Integrity

• Your word is your bond• At the end of the day, all you have is you … and your reputation• Do what you said you would do• If you realize that you cannot deliver, say it immediately• Bad news doesn’t age well• Own the problem – never say “its not my fault”

Tips on Integrity

• Its never too late, if you have let someone down – get to work on it• Most people are forgiving, if you admit your error and show

commitment to the future

It’s ALL about relationships

• Trust; build it slowly – lose it fast• You cannot ask a favor in the first conversation• Knowing who to ask• Degrees of separation• Use Social Media, but be cautious• Don’t ignore those below you in the value chain

Tips on Relationships

• Make time for this, it’s a huge commitment• Use your network to expand your network• Be there for others; give as well as receive

Communication

• Never enough, never too early• Think about saying it directly to the named person• Everything you write will be shared

You are a Leader

• Management• Project Management• Informal• From behind• Upwards

Personal Brand

• Confidence plays well, arrogance does not• Be a person of Integrity• Recognize and respect others• Have a higher purpose than self• You won’t always be popular

Leadership is made up of Focus Elements and Personal Habits

Elements of Leadership• Vision• Planning• Decisions• Integrity• Relationships• Communication

Daily Habits of a Leader• Read and respond to every email, every

phone call, everyday – use FYI, FYA• Daily, assign tasks to others before

starting your own work• Never put off until tomorrow what you

can do today• Be the hardest worker in your group• Take charge, make it happen• Be honest and transparent

Suggested Reading

• Kotter – Leading Change• Covey – 7 Habits• Gladwell – Tipping Point• Collins – Good to Great• Senge – 5th Discipline• Drucker – The Effective Executive• Johnson – Who Moved My Cheese?• Ury – Getting to Yes

On Readings

• Blanchard • Carnegie