Cultivating a New Leadership Model at OTML
Client Overview:
Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) isn’t just any mining company. Operating the Ok Tedi Mine, the longest-running open-pit copper, gold, and silver mine in Papua New Guinea, they’ve been a pillar of the PNG economy. Since 1984, OTML has contributed an impressive average of 6.2% to PNG’s annual Gross Domestic Product. But like all seasoned players, they realised the need to evolve.
The Challenge:
The task wasn’t just about training; it was about transformation. OTML wanted to usher in a new era of leadership that shifted from traditional methods to a coaching model. They envisioned a leadership culture that not only met the company’s standards but also became the talk of the town – sustainable, memorable, and inspiring. This new leadership was the cornerstone of their mission to “rebuild the family” and instil a culture of mentorship and growth.
Our Unique Approach
Our Approach:
We believed that the best solutions come from understanding the heart of the problem. So, we embarked on:
1. Deep Dive into Ok Tedi: A site trip to OTML in PNG allowed us to engage with selected stakeholders and leaders. These candid discussions with the Executive Leadership Team helped us grasp the current challenges.
2. Crafting the Blueprint: Using insights from our visit, we sculpted a ‘fit for purpose’ program, ensuring it resonated with OTML’s unique needs.
3. Pilot Workshops: Before a full roll-out, we conducted two pilot workshops, an opportunity to test our strategies in real-time.
4. Iterative Learning: Post-workshop feedback isn’t just data; it’s gold. We fine-tuned our approach based on this invaluable input.
The Leadership Development Program (LDP)
Our LDP wasn’t just another training session; it was a journey. Spanning two days, Day 1 was dedicated to “Leading Self,” focusing on personal growth, while Day 2 transitioned to “Leading Others,” amplifying team dynamics.
But here’s the twist: we didn’t go by the book. We used the leaders’ most pressing issues as our curriculum. This meant diving deep into critical behaviours, coaching for desired outcomes, and creating a space where learning was real and immediate.
Our methods? A dynamic blend of indoor and outdoor activities, insightful case studies, illustrative visual models, and hands-on experiential activities.
The Impact
Over a span of 3.5 years, more than 300 leaders underwent this transformation. But numbers only tell half the story. The true testament to the program’s success was the palpable shift in leadership style at OTML, moving towards a culture of coaching, mentorship, and collective growth.
Real-world Outcomes: Stories from the Masterclass
Here are stories from participants returning to the Masterclass after implementing their learnings back on the job.
Climbing the Corporate Ladder
Several of our attendees didn’t just walk away with insights; they were promoted. A number of leaders expressed their gratitude, attributing their promotions directly to the skills and perspectives garnered from the LDP.
Operational Efficiency
Practical application was the name of the game. One supervisor took the LDP principles to heart, achieving a commendable reduction in equipment downtime by over 10%. That’s not just improved efficiency; it’s a testament to proactive problem-solving.
Streamlined Processes
Remember the old saying, “Time is money”? One leader certainly does. They successfully compressed a monthly process from a dragging 3 days to a swift single day, showcasing the program’s power in fostering agile and effective decision-making.
Achieving Milestones Ahead of Time
Setting goals is one thing; achieving them ahead of schedule is another ballgame. One proactive leader didn’t wait for year-end reflections. By September, they had already ticked off their annual strategic objectives, all thanks to the strategies imbibed during the course.
Leaders Cultivating Leaders
The ripple effect of leadership is profound. Post-workshop, one leader was so inspired that they set their sights on nurturing more leaders within the organisation. This focus bore fruit in the form of two promotions for the leader himself and several team members stepping up, getting promoted, and subsequently enrolling in the LDP.
Mark Stone
General Manager People & Capability
Ok Tedi Mining Ltd
I engaged Beyond the Numbers (Quantum Leadership part of the Beyond the Numbers group) to develop and deliver a leadership development program which addressed the specific issues we were seeing within our frontline leadership. I was impressed at how accurately, thorough their interviews and analysis on-site, they were able to pinpoint the key issues we were experiencing.
The delivery of the program to date has been exceptional. Darryl and Scott clearly understand the exigencies of operations and integrate well with our Training & Development Team and go above and beyond to deliver a fit for purpose program which is creating great enthusiasm among participants.”
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