The offshore installation jackets were being installed in the central North Sea by the crane barge - Arctic Explorer. The wind was picking up steadily – North Westerly was starting to howl. The ‘weather window’ had closed for the next 12 hours - tolerance was the order of the day. Hector was well familiar with the bone chilling winds of Nepal.

On his return from Tibet he'd came over the mountain passes to the Annapurna valley. Some 18 months he’d lived there - spring and autumn were the windy seasons. At times, it was difficult to communicate by voice - the howling winds drowned any form of speech. He developed a delicate sense of sensory acuity whilst working in the valley as a ‘farmer.’ A member of THE valley “family” - he worked in harmony with the people and environment, sensing, feeling - being an integral part of the landscape.

Resilience 'Barrier Model' http://jimbennett.global/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Resilence-Barrier-Model.jpg

Hector and Jack were boldly walking down the quayside on the day of the “float out” of the offshore installation “jackets”.

Pride, surging through their chilled bodies, “Aye, it’s another cold day, grimaced Hector. The weather is picking up I don’t think it’ll sell for a few days - we need a good seven days weather window to be sure.” It had been a struggle getting the logistics sorted out. The offshore drilling rig had the key wells drilled, capped and template fitted.

Construction, had all the modules built, tested and commissioned on time – having the lay barges and tugs in place at the correct time. “Preparation, preparation, preparation” - the mantra of high-performance teams was ringing in Jack’s ears.

The classic business model of plan, do, measure, had stood them in good stead.....

Business Management Model
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Jack paused, and suddenly felt that “Aha” moment upon him: it was the birth of his virtuoso team. We all have the ingredients for TEAM MAGIC.

Our project was “ripe” to make that alive. A powerful vision, INSPIRED people, with the COURAGE to do what it takes to make it happen. “I'm working hard; I want them to work hard to, I want this to be the best thing we've ever done!"

We've got the cream of the crop -it is like magic. I’ve got others asking to join our project -it's like a giant magnet for great talent. This is the biggest development in the North Sea for a decade and has attracted industry attention as one of the most innovative projects to date. Seven economically marginal fields with different owners and different hydrocarbons to create ZULU.....

Team Magic Model
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Jack had risen early this morning and was fresh from his morning work-out. The project pace had “picked-up”. He was running things through in his “mind’s eye”. The key steps of his project management model on his internal screen – Appraise, Select, Define, Execute. Operate, Close Out. They were completing the DEFINE stage.

His mind sprung to the Hector’s insights. He had mentioned this innate quality of COURAGE previously. It would take courage to meet our stretch goals whilst living up to our ethical standards – a delicate balance of commercial and PEOPLE needs...

Hector was troubled; his new “charge” was bounding upwards and onwards at a tremendous rate. Riding on the crest of a wave. Oh, how he remembered that well. Nothing seemed impossible! Why was he troubled? It was at old gut feeling again - something wasn't ringing true. He searched his memory banks of the last few weeks since they'd been at the “Dam”. Jack's words and body language were out of ‘sync’. His words were all of the right corporate talk - the culture that “failure is not an option.” The tell-tale fumble with his pen, nervous foot tapping and forced laugh.

There was something wooden about the sincerity of his words.

“MMmmm, if I can see the ‘tell-tale’ cues then others will sense it as well.” he mumbled to himself. Jack's team are thoroughbreds and finely tuned – they’ll pickup their leader’s signals subconsciously. That's not the inspirational start he was planning for. “How have I failed him?” Hector reflected.....

VISION
"Dream, Dare, Dazzle your World!"

“Jack I’ve a proposition for you! These words were still ringing in Jack’s ears!”

These words were still ringing in Jack’s ears as he surged along Union Street. Talk about the “wow” factor – it really felt like it. It looked as if his guardian angel was looking over his shoulder. The opportunity to be part of an international Leadership Team developing a new offshore oilfield in difficult uncharted waters was compelling – thrilling to be chosen....

The Hidden Valley Unfolds
“OK you old renegade let’s swing the lamp and wander along the Beach Boulevard – tell me more about your escapades in Tibet.”

With a fresh wind on our face and a setting sun glowing we “moseyed along the beach. Hector’s eyes glazed slightly as he transported back to Tibet.” As I mentioned, we entered this hidden Valley, a bit like the one in Glencoe and, it opened out to an abundance of “green life” which was in stark contrast to the “outer world” of wind and barren rocks with little vegetation – an oasis in the middle of somewhere ….. (there was a cheeky grin cracking his weathered face) Tibetan community only occasionally ventured out of their valet when there was a request for help from the outerworld. Within, they were very self sufficient.....

Jack was saying his goodbyes to the lads and lassies of Cruachan Alpha – a wee lump in his throat as he reflected on the friendships formed over the last few years… A difficult time – organizational change in a large scale. The price of a “barrel of oil” had dropped to a new low of . It was ‘change or die’. He’d to tell workmates – members of his close community/kinfolk, that they were being “retired” early. It was met, on one side with a combination of anger, fear and disbelief whilst balanced on the other with euphoria, excitement and joy of the opportunities. “Aye they’re none say fickle as folk” was ringing in his ears....

We Dive Deeper into the world of transformational change...

Hector’s Sojourn
Hector, with glistening eyes, explained in more detail “As we traveled a strange fleeting energy was surging through my body from time to time”, he said. “I couldn’t’ sustain it and I got frustrated and frustrated, and frust.. - being angry at myself and at others in the party. I wasn’t easy company – intolerable springs to mind.”

Reflecting, he gave a travelogue: “We landed at Kathmandu for an overnight stay before heading north to Lhasa – a bustling town full of pilgrims. Was I one?” – he mused. With “belly in mouth” we rode the turbulence and had a hard touch down at Lhasa. We were moving rapidly now – Lhasa to Shigatse for a well-deserved Transformational bath to ease my aching body and mind.....

A Fable About Fulfilling Your Dreams and Reaching Your Destiny - Jim shares his insights and global experiences as a Safety Leadership Coach in the Major Accident Hazards Sector.

An enigmatic journey of exploration from the Stormy North Sea of Scotland to the hidden valleys of the Himalayas.

This fictitious story will inspire you to fulfill your biggest dreams and help you step into the highest version of your greatest vision.