Speech at Talent Week, October 5th, 2009

Hello everybody,
Ibu Emylia and the Committee asked me to share about my career journeys so far

You know, like all of you, I have had my ups and downs in my professional life.There were occassions where I was really excited about my job, where I enjoy the people that I worked with and where I am satisfied when I delivered my commitments.

But there were also times when I wasn't sure if I made the right decision. Should I remain in my job? Should I move on and look for another job? What to do?

But I realized that it is pointless to grumble. I remember an advice from my first manager. He said to me.. "Iwan, if you are successful, you may not be a happy man. But if you are happy, you could be successful "

So that is my approach. I have come to accept that I may not always be comfortable in my job from the start. Nowadays I tend to look at a longer term perspective. It's a bit like life. Life is not always fair. You deal with the cards that you are given. Overtime, you will get what is your right The trick is how to optimize the current situation

My experience is start engaging. Be very very clear about what you want; whether a higher job group; or a move to another class of business or a change of location ; my experience is we are all reasonable people. You will be listened to

What I think we all must learn - me included- is how to disagree without being disagreeable. This is a true mark of a gentleman or lady. In other words don't give your boss a hardtime. Unless you really have to, but that is another story for another time

One other thing which we need to be better at. Myself included as well. Very often we focus on what's in it for us. Very rarely did we think what is it for the organization

We know what we want but it is not clear what the benefits are for the organization
So that is what I have done

Have a career plan
Have a mentor
Have a buddy
You know, speaking of buddies. The world's best known buddy is Bobby Kennedy. If you think you are JFK, find your Bobby.
Trust him
Trust her
Have a solid IDP discussion
Have an open mind

I know

I have an aspiration of where I want to be

I have some people I am comfortable to be mentored

I have my Bobby

I am always looking forward to my IDP discussion

As a result, thrown a bit of luck and an open mind, I have been fortunate in my career to be blessed with challenging jobs

Four classes of business, eight roles

Sales, Marketing, Management Consultant, Business Development, Supply Manager

But good IDPs don't guarantee you good jobs. You'll need more

Now ... you'll notice earlier that I mentioned about how to disagree without being disagreeable
In Shell I found that it is useful to have more people supporting you to find a good career than you have people blocking you for your next job. I call this "the baloon theory"

There are plenty of ways to build this coalition of the willing

Impress senior people.

Make them support you for that job that you always wanted. For that expat job you are dying for. For that promotion you deserve.

Accept difficult jobs

Get out of your comfort zone

Achieve something you never thought possible

Surprise yourself

I know.

In fact you and I know

All of us were part of the team challenged with delivering GSAP and Growth. People thought we were crazy.

You know what?

We delivered.

Difficult times bring the best out of Shell people. Leaders lead but in the end it is the people that deliver. Without the talent and the dedication of all of you, we would not be able to achieve anything. Never let anybody tell you that you are not talented !

As you probably guess by now, by the words I have chosen, by the stories I have given, I have a long history with this company. If you discount my self imposed exile in GE, I have now been working for 13 years, 8 months and 2 days (approximately).

Long time.

So long in fact that this is the second time I am a speaker in talent week. I hope next year, one of you will take my place. It will be your turn, the younger generation.

And in the words of Blair, who seem appropriate

"So it's up to you
You can take my advice
You don't take it. It's your choice.
But in the years to come, wherever you are, whatever you do, if we can help you, we will
Wishing you well, wanting you to succeed
All of you are the future
Make the most of it"

Thank you.