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GDA Virtual Conference
Transforming the Gulf
downstream industry The Gulf Downstream Association’s (GDA) “TRANSFORM” Virtual Conference provided valuable insights on the evolving future of leadership and project management for the region’s oil and gas downstream industry. UT TOGETHER BY the GDA’s Leadership & People Development and Project Management technical committees, the event explored the leadership qualities needed to forge ahead with strategic partnerships and bold investments for a positive 2021, and the ingredients needed for delivering efficient capital projects, at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented disruption to business. Day 1 focused on "The New Reality of Transformational Leadership” and discussed the role of transformational leadership in empowering people, embracing digitalisation, fostering accountability and encouraging innovation. Following the opening remarks from Rayyan S. Tayeb, vice-chairman, GDA TRANSFORM Virtual Conference, Suleman A. Al-Bargan, vice president of domestic refining and NGL fractionation at Saudi Aramco, and president of the GDA, gave the keynote address. He commented that the people who bring about change and transformation are those with exceptional leadership capabilities. “If it’s any time we need this capacity, it’s at this time, with all that’s ongoing in the world at this stage,” Al-Bargan said.
Leading by example “What matters in leadership is the attitude and behaviour of the leader himself, to truly show the values he and the organisation believe in are demonstrated in every action he does, with the flexibility and agility to be able to adjust to the changing environment around him. These issues have to be carefully developed in the future leadership. Leadership is not about dictating and being forceful, it is about how you tap into the best potential of your people. That has to come from your own understanding, compassion and real appreciation for the effort of your people.” He stressed the importance of the ‘servant leaders’ concept, when the leadership cares about the people, their wellbeing and best interests. This has been
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Reem Al Ghanim, division head, chemicals - HR and support services, Saudi Aramco; and Nadia Bader Al-Hajji, deputy CEO - projects & business development, Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC).
Leadership is about how you tap into the best potential of your people.” manifested in the way the leadership of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states has handled the pandemic, he said. “Leadership at different levels, whether in government or individual organisations, have shown their capacities and capabilities to excel at this tough time,” he commented. Turning to the human resource challenges posed by the older generation retiring and large numbers of young people entering the workforce, he said that Saudi Aramco sees this as an “opportunity more than a challenge.” “The differentiator, which is I believe is an
asset and a benefit, is that they are well educated, very talented, willing, and see themselves as important contributor to our industry,” he said. He shared the example of the Jizan refinery, where there had been a need to augment the capabilities of the young workforce in advance of the start-up. Saudi Aramco had addressed this challenge by attracting talent from all over the globe and accelerating the development and training of the workforce in refineries and facilities both in-kingdom and outside the kingdom. Today, Jizan’s leadership, comprising more than 70% young generation, is “doing a fantastic job”. “Have your faith and trust in the younger generation; they usually surpass your expectations,” he urged. In the following session, moderated by Saudi Aramco’s Reem Al Ghanim, Nadia AlHajji, deputy CEO, projects & business development at Kuwait’s Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC), shared insights
