It was no surprise to learn that Tony Hayward is out as CEO and Bob Dudley is in. Sure, Dudley has a long history of financial success with BP groups, and he's really smart. But when the chips are down it's often about communication skills. Dudley is a master communicator.
He's been interviewed on PBS on numerous occasions. In every instance, he's warm, relational, supportive, reticent to make promises he can't fulfill, and let's the interviewer know that he sympathizes with all of us over the Gulf disaster. He puts across the message that BP will do everything to resolve this crisis for all of us, and will do everything possible to work with the US government.
WSJ interpreted the issue from a different perspective. The writer concluded that BP needed an American at the head of the company in order to more effectively communicate with the US population and the government.
That's nonsense. It wasn't that Tony Hayward was a Brit. The problem was that he had his foot in his mouth and showed contempt for us in his behaviors. . . again and again. If you watched David Cameron, the UK"s new PM, you know that he's a master at communicating. The issue is not about country of origin, but communication skills.
Alumni research from the Stanford Business School found a high correlation between personal success and communication skills. As a result, in 2007, when Stanford changed it's curriculum, communication became one of the four top competencies in focus. This reflects the research from the Dallas Federal Bank which reworked a study of the national talent hierarchy in 2004. Although the findings emphasized the need for technological skills, the best paid workers and the best work opportunities continue to be for those who have both technology expertise as well as people skills. In still another report from Wharton, research found that "the ability to communicate well and other 'soft skills' are just as important as technological expertise when it comes to selling new ideas to investors or senior management." In a previous blog, I elaborated on the importance and how-to of communication skills.
Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities to see Robert Dudley in action. Here's an interview with Judy Woodruff from The News Hour. Notice that Dudley is very laid-back in his presentation--a typically analytical speaker. That ought to be useful to the large number of businesspeople who confuse the need for exaggerated enthusiasm with effective communication. In a crisis, a person's ability to lay out the situation and its possibilities in simple, lean language can be a plus. Dudley persuades with a bit of personal vulnerability, directness and honesty. He's careful to undercommunicate--to say as little as possible and only answer the questions that are asked. No foot in the mouth.
In today's world the key is to success is technology competency of some sort, AND oral and written skills.