Emerging Leader Programme + Q&A with Donnie Mackay

Our Emerging Leaders have completed half of the 12-month programme! This session focussed on the Employee Lifecycle and was planned around the Group's People and Culture People Plan with four key themes; Attract, Engage, Develop and Transform.

Developed by our Organisational Development Manager, Ashley Baxter, the session started with Simon Sinek's "Start with why" and the importance of having a mission statement, vision and core values. The Emerging Leaders then looked at the role of employer brand and being an employer of choice when attracting new talent into the business. This was followed by understanding, recognising and being able to challenge unconscious bias, as well as looking at Maslow's hierarchy of needs and how it relates to engagement and motivation. The session was wrapped up by considering the different types of development, giving positive and negative feedback, and looking at how to handle courageous conversations.

Christine Cochrane, People & Culture Director, opened and closed the session as a guest speaker. Throughout the session, the Emerging Leaders were also joined Lynne Anderson, People & Culture Business Partner. Lynne is currently transitioning into a Learning & Development Partner Role and will support our Emerging Leaders to complete the programme.

Session Feedback

Really enjoyed the discussion about unconscious bias.

Content was interesting and good exercises to get people working in teams.

Made you think of your own social media uses and what's show to others.

Best session so far. Very interactive throughout.

Unconscious bias really opened my eyes.

Q&A With Emerging Leader, Donnie Mackay

Q1. What is your name?

Donnie Mackay

Q2. Tell us about you… what’s your work history to date?

I currently work at Global Energy Services, and have been involved in the working at height, rope access sector for coming up to 20 years. Ranging from Oil and Gas sector, Geotechnical, Renewables & Civil works. All ranging from maintenance, construction, rigging & lifting, project management & training.

Q3. Who or what inspired you to peruse the career you have today?

I seen working at height as exciting and challenging, which I think a lot of others underestimate. Iain Macleod has been a big help and inspiration when stepping into this new role. He was a great mentor.

Q4. Can you provide details of a professional accomplishment in the group that you are proud of?

Assisting in achieving our IRATA accreditation as a team, which involved changing and improving procedures and documentation for the better going forward.

Q5. What inspires you, and do you have any personal goals that you are hoping to achieve?

Leading a team to success on achieving what we set out to do before preparing and getting ready to do another project.

Q6. What motivates and energises you at work?

Every day is different an working in a very reactive environment keeps you on your toes.

Q7. Which Core Value means the most to you and why?

Encourage Humility - to have a successful team you need a fine balance and recognise the capabilities of people and their needs to progress further and help them on their way. To ensure you have a happy work place even the smallest negativity can bring the whole group down.