Al Bargan ... focus on leadership

When Saudi Aramco was setting up the Jazan refinery and terminal project in 2014, it faced a challenge: there wasn’t enough senior leadership. But the show had to go on, and so it took a chance on its young and fresh talent.

Today, young employees (more than 70 per cent) run the Jazan complex and are doing a fantastic job, said Suleman Al Bargan, Vice-President, Domestic Refining and NGL Fractionation, Saudi Aramco.

"My advice to my colleagues in other refineries across the Gulf is to have faith and trust in the younger generation. They usually surpass your expectation," he said at the opening of the Gulf Downstream Association (GDA)’s virtual conference ‘Transform’ held from February 22-23. Al Bargan is also chairman of the GDA board.

The conference’s theme was ‘The Evolving Future of Leadership and Project Management’. OGN was the event’s strategic communications partner.

He said if there was any period in time where leadership was in need, it’s this time of the pandemic.

Al Bargan advocated the ‘servant leader’ concept, wherein the leadership serves its followers.

"Leadership is how you tap into the best potential of the people. And that comes through your own understanding, compassion and clear appreciation for the efforts that your people are doing," he said.

Saudi Aramco made outstanding efforts to take care of its people during the pandemic, despite the increased workload. As a result, in April 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, the company recorded its highest ever oil production in the history of Saudi Arabia.

The national oil company has in the last few years has seen a huge intake of fresh and inexperienced employees.

"This is both a challenge and an opportunity. It’s a challenge because the number is huge: Close to 70 per cent of Saudi Aramco manpower is below 5 years of experience. But the opportunity lies in the fact that this young generation is well educated, talented, willing and see itself as an important contributor to the industry."