The 2024 Emerging Leaders Alliance (ELA) Conference, held from 22–25 September in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was a remarkable event that brought together more than 50 participants from various STEM backgrounds. This program, organized by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) along with other organizations aims to enhance leadership skills and provide new tools and strategies for modern leadership. Here’s a detailed look at the 3-day event and its key highlights.
The conference kicked off on 22 September with a networking reception, setting a collaborative tone for the days ahead.
Day 1: Setting the Stage for Leadership
Creating Your Leadership Vision and Action Plan
The first session, led by Jamie Lewis Smith from Pixel Leadership Group, focused on helping participants become the leaders they aspire to be. Smith emphasized that leadership starts with a clear vision built on one’s unique personality, values, and strengths. Participants engaged in self-assessments and group discussions to uncover their core values and passions, ultimately crafting a personal leadership vision statement. The session underscored the importance of translating this vision into daily behaviors and decisions, ensuring that leaders remain aligned with their goals.
The Art and Science of Negotiation
Taya R. Cohen, Carnegie Mellon University, led the next session on negotiation. Cohen highlighted the ubiquity of negotiations in daily life and provided strategies for effective negotiation and conflict resolution. Participants learned about creating value in negotiations, preparing effectively, and avoiding common traps. This session equipped attendees with practical phrases and questions to use in various negotiation contexts.
Transitioning From Technical to Management
Rahul Dogra, Vision to Market Ltd., addressed the challenges of transitioning from a technical role to management. He discussed the new range of capabilities required for management, such as delegating, coaching, and conflict management. This session provided valuable insights for both aspiring and current managers to enhance their soft skills and navigate their career transitions effectively.
Building Highly Productive Relationships
Bob Heavers, Priority Management, concluded the day with a session on social styles and building productive relationships. Participants learned to understand themselves and others better, practicing growth actions to increase their versatility. This session emphasized the importance of being behaviorally savvy in leading and influencing others, turning potential people problems into relationship assets.
Day 2: Collaboration and Feedback
Collaborating Across Teams To Achieve Results
Dogra discussed the critical role of managers in fostering a collaborative environment. He highlighted the importance of trust, motivation, and managing team dynamics, especially in hybrid and virtual settings. Participants explored strategies for creating a high-performing team culture and leveraging diversity to enhance team performance.
Mastering Feedback To Maximize Results
Smith returned to lead a session on mastering feedback. She emphasized the power of regular, behavioral feedback in boosting employee motivation and performance. Participants learned a framework for providing specific, actionable feedback and explored the importance of role modeling feedback behaviors. This session aimed to shift the mindset around feedback from a dreaded task to a relationship norm, equipping managers with best practices to create a feedback-rich culture.
Conflict Resolution
Dogra led a session on conflict resolution. He discussed the underlying causes of conflict and the importance of a proactive approach. Participants learned techniques for moving from conflict management to resolution, including having difficult conversations and using collaborative approaches. This session highlighted how healthy levels of conflict can unlock team potential and improve overall performance.
Stress Management and Peak Performance
Brent Darnell, Brent Darnell International, concluded the day with a session on stress management. Darnell explained the impact of stress on performance and provided strategies for recovery and lifestyle choices to manage stress effectively. This session equipped attendees with practical tools to maintain their mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
Day 3: Enhancing Presence and Influence
How To Present Like an Award-Winning Actor
Darnell returned to lead this engaging session, teaching participants how to use their body, face, voice, and energy to create more-effective and memorable presentations. The session covered the power of storytelling, the use of metaphors, and the basics of rhetoric. Participants learned how to create a powerful presence and increase their influence in both presentations and one-on-one encounters.
The ELA 2024 conference was a transformative experience for all attendees, providing them with valuable insights and practical tools to enhance their leadership skills. From creating a personal leadership vision to mastering negotiation, feedback, and conflict resolution, participants left with a comprehensive toolkit for modern leadership. The event also emphasized the importance of well-being and stress management, ensuring that leaders can maintain their performance and guide their teams effectively.
A special thank you to SPE for providing the opportunity for young members to attend such an important event. With over 13,000 members eligible to attend on behalf of SPE, the selection of just seven participants each year underscores the prestige of this program.
To all SPE young members, I highly encourage you to apply for similar opportunities next year. SPE covers conference and hotel costs, making it an invaluable experience.
Thank you to our instructors Rahul Dogra, Taya Cohen, Jamie Smith, Bob Heavers, and Brent Darnell for their expertise and guidance.
