There comes a point when wringing one’s hands about the Great Crew Change doesn’t make too much sense. It is happening. Whether we can find enough qualified individuals to fill the voids is a question that will be answered shortly. In the interim we had best offer all the help and advice we can to the new crew.

Most of that advice will take the form of downloading our collective memories about technology — how it has been applied, where it has been applied and why it has been applied. But some of the advice must be about the interplay between personal development and career development. So, without so much as a single request to do so, I am going to offer some advice of the second sort to the new crew.

Despite our technical prowess, despite our technical accomplishments, this is a people business. Without a firm hand to guide it, the technology all we have created amounts to no more than a bunch of holes in the ground and a very large collection of useless metal and associated materials. Let me repeat that: it is a people industry.

The following observations come from working in this people industry for more than 40 years, and being raised in it for another 20.

First and foremost, develop good, caring relationships with those around you and, most especially, those who work well for you. The best day’s work you will ever get will be the employee who likes and respects you. The worst day’s work you will ever get will be from the employee who hates you. Remember also that it is your duty to your good employees to weed out the bad ones, regardless of your relationship with them. Never punish a good team by saddling them with poorly performing or troublesome employees. Likewise, never punish any employee out of personal prejudice or dislike.

Second, work hard at developing communications skills. This is extremely hard in an era of e-mails and Blackberries (they are not called Crackberries for no reason). I cannot recall how often lately that I have been at lunch or in a meeting with someone who continually checks his/her Blackberry. This says one thing to me very loudly — “you are not worth my attention.” Perhaps I have nothing to say, or perhaps I am describing a technical solution that is of vital importance. Chances are the e-mail addict will miss either the point or the subtle nuances of the solution. Therefore, be earnest and direct in your personal communications. Engage in, and encourage, face to face dialogue. Communication is personal interchange. “Electronic communications” is a misnomer. It is electronic messaging, not communications.

Avoid arrogance. Despite a lofty title, or the prominence of the company you work for, you are probably not the smartest person in the room. If you must feed you ego, do it through quiet accomplishment, not a boorish presence. Not only will you gain the respect and cooperation of your workmates, you may actually learn something of value from those around you.

Try to develop a broader view. Too many of us put ourselves in a silo early on and never leave that silo. It can severely damage a career. When I entered this industry, almost all senior management came from the engineering ranks. The story, as you well know, is very different today. Back then, being a member of the engineering ranks created diffidence, and a rather large, exclusive silo, that will not work today. Try to develop an appreciation for the place of every employee in the system, from the accountants to the administration staff to the legal department. It takes everyone to run a successful business, not just engineers.

Finally, strive to give back to your industry. Become active in SPE, SEG, AAPG, SPWLA, IPAA, EAGE or any of the other industry bodies. The work they do is important to the industry. Without volunteer help and input none could function. While you are at it, become a public advocate for this industry. Join one of the many Energy Education programs within the societies, your local community or a regional organization. Not only do you benefit the industry, the networks you create and the personal horizons you expand will boost your career.

If you can master these simple principles, and become a competent technologist you are still not guaranteed a stellar career. But it will be a more rewarding one.

By the way, if you do master these simple principles, let me know. I am still trying.