CEO Insights Magazine

Vietnam's strategic location in Southeast Asia, coupled with a young and dynamic workforce, has attracted foreign invest­ments and led to a surge in entrepreneurial ventures. Businesses in Vietnam span vari­ous sectors, including technology, textiles, agriculture, and energy, contributing to a rapidly growing economy. In this evolving business environment, the role of Gen­eral Directors (GDs) is crucial. They are expected to not only lead their organizations effectively but also to nav­igate the complexities of a competitive market. They are responsible for strategic decision-making, fostering re­lationships with stakeholders, and ensuring their com­panies remain compliant with regulations while pursu­ing growth opportunities. One such General Director making a significant impact in the oil and gas sector is Paul McLaughlan, General Director of Schoeller Bleck­mann Oilfield Equipment Vietnam Ltd (SBO Vietnam).

Born in Scotland, Paul served five years in the British Army after leaving school at the age of 16, which laid a foundation for his remarkable career in the oil and gas industry. With over 36 years of extensive experience across seven countries, he brings a wealth of knowl­edge and expertise to his role. At SBO Vietnam, Paul leads a standalone plant that specializes in producing high-precision components for the customers of SBO, a global leader in non-magnetic drill string components used in directional drilling. He holds full P&L respon­sibilities and directly reports to the Group’s board of directors in Austria, highlighting the trust placed in him as a long-standing expert. Paul is passionate about implementing effective management techniques and optimizing resources to drive operational excellence. His hands-on servant leadership style combines deci­siveness with flexibility, enabling him to respond to the ever-changing demands of the market. He focuses on coaching and mentoring his team, empowering them to be­come future leaders while ensuring compliance with qual­ity, health, safety, and environmental standards. Through his leadership, Paul McLaughlan exemplifies the qualities of a successful General Director in Vietnam’s thriving busi­ness ecosystem. Let’s hear more from Paul McLaughlan in this one-on-one interaction.

How have these experiences helped you in establishing a clear operational direction and optimizing resources and processes?

These experiences have been invaluable, as both positive and negative encounters contribute to a clearer vision and direction. Mistakes often provide the greatest lessons. Ef­fective communication is essential in any industry, it’s crucial to ensure that your valued employees receive clear guidance, coaching, and mentoring so they understand what is expected of them to achieve greater success. As the saying goes, ‘People never learn anything by being told, they must discover it for themselves.’

How do you consistently guarantee that compliance, quality, health, safety, and environmental standards are maintained?

As a leader, it's essential to be actively involved at the grass­roots level and fully integrated into your organization's culture on a daily basis. This means understanding every aspect of the business and being present with your valued employees, not just when they need assistance or guidance. This continuous engagement is crucial for ensuring compli­ance. We are committed to striving for the highest level of compliance every day.

Tell us about your leadership approach amid constantly changing market, economic, and business demands.

My leadership approach is rooted in a hands-on servant leadership style that combines decisiveness with flexibil­ity, allowing me to navigate the ever-changing market, eco­nomic, and business demands effectively. I prioritize strong coaching and mentoring to nurture the talent and potential of my direct reports and employees. I believe that the abil­ity to adapt and change is a true measure of intelligence, and I strive to embody this principle in my leadership by fostering a culture of resilience and continuous improve­ment within my team.

What are the best practices and learnings you pass on to your team from your experience to develop talent?

I always emphasize to my team that each day offers valu­able lessons, whether positive or negative. It is important to learn from these experiences and move forward with­out regrets. It's essential to remain teachable, as no one is infallible and there’s always something new to learn in every situation. I encourage my team to ask questions and remind them that there’s no such thing as a silly question. This mindset fosters growth, promotes curiosity, and helps create an environment where everyone feels comfortable seeking knowledge and developing their skills.

What future roadmap do you envision for your journey?

To start, it's essential to clearly communicate your vision and goals to everyone involved, as this will lay the ground­work for your operational excellence initiatives and ensure alignment and support throughout the organization. Assess your current state and define where you want to go. Involve employees at all levels during this assessment phase, as they often have valuable insights into the daily challenges and inefficiencies they encounter. Use interviews, surveys, and focus groups to gather their perspectives and feedback.

Next, develop and implement improvement strategies, encouraging employee involvement and empowerment throughout the process. Frontline workers typically pos­sess valuable insights and ideas for enhancing the process­es they engage with daily. Establish mechanisms for cap­turing and evaluating employee suggestions, and recognize and reward successful improvements.

Additionally, create a system for regularly reviewing and updating your processes, technologies, and improve­ment initiatives. This could involve periodic audits, per­formance reviews, or dedicated continuous improvement teams responsible for identifying and implementing en­hancements. Celebrate successes and learn from setbacks, as they can provide valuable lessons for future progress. Foster a culture of learning and continuous improvement by promoting open communication, knowledge sharing, and a willingness to experiment and take calculated risks. Finally, make sure to reward your valued employees for their contributions.

Given your extensive professional experience, what advice would you give to emerging industry leaders?

Always prioritize listening to your employees at every level, as they are the heart and soul of any organization, and it’s essential to understand and address their frustrations. Ad­ditionally, recognizing how others perceive you is vital for personal growth. Be ready for honest feedback. It may be challenging, but seeking input when you can remain open-minded and non-defensive is a hallmark of a genuine lead­er. Strive to cultivate empathy in your leadership style.

Paul McLaughlan, General Director, Schoeller Bleckmann Oilfield Equipment

Born In Scotland, Paul Mclaughlan Served In The British Army For Five Years After Leaving School At 16, Before Launching A Distinguished Career In The Oil And Gas Industry. With Over 36 Years Of Experience Across Seven Countries, He Currently Serves As The General Director Of Schoeller Bleckmann Oilfield Equipment Vietnam Ltd (Sbo Vietnam), A Subsidiary Of The Austrian Sbo Group. Paul Leads A Standalone Plant Producing High-Precision Components For Directional Drilling And Holds Full P&L Responsibilities, Reporting To The Board In Austria. His Leadership Style Focuses On Management Techniques, Change Management, And Employee Development, Aiming To Foster Growth And Operational Excellence While Maintaining Compliance And Quality Standards.

Hobbies: I like to study Vietnamese, reading, doing charity volunteering work supporting local orphanages in Vietnam

Favourite Cuisine: Vietnamese

Favourite Book: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

Favourite Travel Destination: Dubai