Having just read that during the course of my recent work with Mission I have travelled to three of the top twenty ‘Most dangerous places in the world’*, it was with some trepidation that I set out on my latest mission!  Fortunately, as has been the case in all of my experiences with Schlumberger they, the course delegates that my colleague PJ and I trained, were friendly, welcoming and we never felt threatened!  Similarly the locals we met in Houston were welcoming, especially the man in the hotel restaurant who mistook us for colleagues… sorry, we should have let you know sooner.

Joking aside, the buzz of travelling to the delta region of Nigeria, experiencing Mexico City and delivering in the shadow of Table Mountain has been a privilege - I would happily go back (where FCO policy allows!).  That kind of diversity along with the unique leadership angle that Mission brings to their training provides an unforgettable learning experience for all; from experienced managers, new graduates, directors and even for us!

I always learn something from the courses that I deliver.  As one of our colleagues says “Stop learning, stop breathing”.  In Houston I learnt about Seagull Managers… They dive in, flap their wings, jump up and down, make a lot of noise and leave crap everywhere.  It illustrates a point, not something to emulate but we know who they are.

In Houston on the 1st December we delivered our Leadership toolbox programme to a group of Schlumberger DCS employees.  It is a great programme, well received and seems to keep hitting the nail on the head with regards to a need.  Often and rightly, employees have developed technical skills progress through hard work, tenacity and good performance to become, managers and leaders and find themselves in a new arena, dealing with people without the necessary soft skills.

Mission can help.  Not everyone has the natural soft skills to provide that vital spark to take them from purely a manager to a truly inspirational leader.  Not just administering the culture but striving to provide vision, inspiration and performance… which at the end of the day, whatever market sector you are in is the bottom line!

PJ and I know little of Houston as we left speedily immediately afterwards in a ‘Town Car’, whizzing through the rush-hour traffic for the George Bush airport; possibly in the very same vehicle he used when he (presumably) named that gateway to Texas.  However, we left our mark on the delegates, made a difference and will be back to deliver again, wherever in the world the need is and whenever the opportunity arises… and we too will learn.

* Daily Telegraph website 29th November 2008
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/3534072/In-pictures-worlds-most-dangerous-places.html

Clive Cosby