Norway might hold the solution for the future source of energy
Jan-Fredrik Carlsen, CEO Optime Subsea. Valley Voice – a column where our cluster members are in focus.
1. What are you doing right now?
Right now, I am hosting a leadership seminar for the management team in Optime Subsea. We are undertaking a huge growth these days. To maintain and develop the business culture and our employees, it is important to focus on which leadership platform and core values we currently have and should have in the future. Each of us have a leadership platform, either explicitly stated or implicitly held. It consists of our own value statements and beliefs about education and educational leadership. A platform serves as a touchstone, a reminder of what we find valuable and important to know and remember. It is an ethical compass, suggesting directions we might take and not regret later.
2. How is Optime Subsea contributing to the Energy Transition?
In Optime Subsea we believe hydrocarbons to be an important contribution to the global energy mix for decades to come. We thrive every day to develop disruptive technology that simplifies subsea operations and minimize the carbon footprint through life of field. We are developing a world class competency center in our segment as well as attracting and developing talents. While contributing to zero emission in production of oil and gas, we are also focusing on where we can use our competency to accelerate the energy transition.
3. What are the biggest challenges and opportunities in the future?
The biggest challenges for the future are also the biggest opportunities. We need to handle the Energy Transition in a sustainable way, so that we balance the urgency for new green energy with the development of new technology and thereby support the transition. Supporting the growing demand for energy globally in the most environmentally friendly way, is vital. The competency we have in Norway within subsea oil and gas might hold the solution for the future source of energy.
4. What keeps you up at night with regards to the Energy Transition?
The ongoing discussion related to the Energy Transition is very polarized. Some would like to shut down the oil and gas production today, but I don’t think it is that easy.
I think the polarized debate contributes to the delay in the transition to new environmentally friendly energy. The discussion should rather be about how we can produce today’s energy in the most sustainable way, while at the same time invest in research and development of new technology for the energy sources of the future.
5. What is most valuable about being a member of Energy Valley?
Optime Subsea has been a member of the cluster since its inception. By attending seminars and conferences held in Energy Valley, we have made useful contacts and developed our network. This has been an important contributor to the establishment of the company and the growth we are now experiencing. The meeting places and arenas where we can build the network further are the most valuable part of being a member of the cluster.
6. Is there any book that have inspired you in the way you lead?
I read John Maxwell´s «5 Levels of Leadership” back in 2015 prior to becoming an entrepreneur and co-founder of Optime Subsea. Maxwell describes five levels of leadership in the book. Since then, I have grown increasingly reliant on its simple model.
John Maxwell says: “Why you lead and the way you lead are important. They define YOU, your leadership, and ultimately your contribution.”
The employees working in Optime are the true value of the company, their commitment to the company and each other, their unique competency and skills make me both humble and honored to be their leader. I can only give guidance, coaching and pave the way for them to reach their individual potentials.
7. Which Energy Valley member do you want to pass the baton on to?
I would like to pass the baton to the Tore Halvorsen former CEO of FMC Kongsberg Offshore, today he is Chairman of FMC KONGSBERG SUBSEA AS. He has been an inspirational leader for many employees working within the subsea oil & gas industry. I am sure he is still an inspiration to the employees in TechnipFMC. In my view he is a true level 5 leader as defined in the book by John Maxwell.
Thank you, Jan-Fredrik!