"If you are going to change culture, you need to do something exceptional. That's why we brought in Threshold. The results have been astounding."
When BP, a global energy firm, faced an existential crisis following the Gulf of Mexico Deep Water Horizon incident, the company needed to rapidly enhance its communication efforts. Leaders at all levels were required to improve their ability to talk and listen to their people, particularly in the IT department, to maintain engagement and trust during the crisis.
Threshold introduced the ‘Leaders as Communicators’ intervention, focusing initially on IT leaders. This program aimed to equip leaders with the skills needed to effectively engage their teams, fostering open and honest communication. Through targeted training and support, leaders learned how to navigate the reputational crisis by maintaining transparency, providing regular updates, and actively listening to employees’ concerns.
The ‘Leaders as Communicators’ intervention successfully helped BP’s leaders to keep their people engaged and motivated during a challenging time. As a result, BP was able to rebuild its reputation and re-establish itself as a leader in the energy sector. The improved communication practices have continued to benefit the company, fostering a more resilient and cohesive organisational culture.
