Guyana!
(Sep 21)
After 3 years, I came back to Guyana. Many memories and wonderful people were brought back. There are always experiences, people and places that make a significant impact in our lives. In my case Guyana is one of the places.
Back in 2017, I led the build-up of the Human Resources operation to it the country. It was a great challenge in my career to set up the infrastructure to enable bringing expatriates and hiring-developing of local employees. This past week, I was able to witness the extraordinary journey that has occurred... Thousands of people have been involved in this project over the years. Now, getting to see the results and smiling faces... makes all the effort worthwhile.
This is the story that many times in O&G we don’t share it enough or simply gets omitted. The transformation that this industry brings from an infrastructure, personal and the collective level is impressive. But it doesn’t stop there as other industries and sectors also grow out of the services that need to be provided because of the birth of this new industry (e.g. food, accommodations, transportation, services in general). Many may argue that they would like to see more… and for sure there would be more.. Today I simply stop and enjoy and celebrate what has already occurred.
As I met some of the people, I was reminded that I interviewed them, made the “congratulations!, you got the job” call, trained, mentored, and coached on the Guyana Team. Actions that may have seemed that I was doing my job, it made an impact that helped shape the future of many. This visit has been heartwarming… seeing where they are today and foresee what the future that awaits them.
Guyana stretched me to become a better HR professional and overall human being. It introduced me to many experts from which I learned. That enabled me to came out of my known ways of doing my HR practice… Running a forming affiliate vs. a mature consolidated one is very different. Helping people to quickly connect the dots and understand what joining the corporate world is key. Processes that may seem trivial in many locations here are not. It is about bringing back the basics to set a strong foundation, and allow a bigger latitude to do things differently. To date I remember the day that I had the applicants dance “Because I am Happy” to help them release stress before the aptitude test, for the O&M Technician to help them build a life plan to help them onboard to the new life they embarked on and strengthen their relationships with their families in Guyana, while they were in Canada…and so on…
I look forward to continuing to see the progress and development of the country, the O&G industry and their people… thank you to all!!
What is that place, person or experience that had a significant impact in shaping who you are today? What do you remember and embrace?