Michael Akinsanya’s Post

We rise or fall to the level of our preparation. This was something I learned at Shell when I was one day asked to make a big decision as a young man. Back then, corporate structures weren’t particularly flexible, and my career direction had largely been mapped out for me. Because of my scientific background I was set on a certain path, most likely headed towards the role of refinery manager. But I wasn’t sure if this was the career I was looking for. I was interested in the bigger economic, political and commercial picture; I enjoyed exploring different ways of thinking, and the broader challenges that came with the terrain in which I was working. After a lot of introspection, I approached my manager who listened to me, but was not particularly supportive - deviating from the norm wasn’t the done thing in those days. To my surprise, some weeks later I was called into my boss’s boss’s boss’s office, someone I hadn’t even known existed. I was told that they had heard I was looking for a change and that they were willing to offer me a position that had come available on the manufacturing strategy team. The issue though, was that someone else was already in line, and if I wanted it, I had to accept it on the spot so the necessary phone calls could be made in time. It was a big decision. Not only would my career be changed but it’d be a big change for me and my family as well, affecting where we might live in years ahead. But, in all the time I had dedicated to considering alternative directions in my career, it seems I was already using a scenario mindset. When we’re put on the spot, we like to imagine we will always rise to the challenge, but the reality is that we rise or fall to the level of our preparation. It was a life changing decision but because of the thought I’d already put into alternative possibilities, I could see it was the right choice for me. I accepted the role and haven’t looked back since. The decision I made in that office was the right one. My time on the manufacturing strategy team was one of the most formative times of my life, and ultimately led to my leading the world-renowned Shell Scenarios Team. An important reminder that it’s only with the right preparation that we can make the right decisions for our future.

  DE&I in Action 2023 in Shell# global DE&I experience#"How are you showing up?"#ShellDE&I    Shell is a place where DE&I is one of the core values, so that each employee in Shell can feel a sense of belonging, are respected and valued. It is especially important as we are working in multicultural, multinational and diverse environment. DE&I is Shell’s element of strategies and goals together with developed multi-year plans and guiding principles to protect DE&I. Last week we shifted from listening and learning only, to action to actively participate in ShellDE&I discussions and initiatives. I had a pleasure to lead the conversations within our legal team in Cracow last week October 3. The discussion we had sometimes was sometimes outside of our comfort zone. We discussed how how might we support each other better, so we all show up?  We brought care, courage, and curiosity to the next phase of our DE&I journey and reflect on the role we each play to build our culture. "How are you showing up?"    

Thanks to all who follow me here and give me feedback and compliments when we meet. The most important feedback I received this year was one from a new recruit in shell - She applied to work with shell thanks to my linkedin post on the fairness of the recruitment process. LinkedIn posts have always been a way to express my personal synthesis of subjects and attempt to support one person on their journey. Fortunately and Unfortunately, I am not a single subject persona and so my mind gravitates towards multiple disciplines and it has been a struggle for many years till I realised two things 1.....The struggle to find a label and a box is real. A label gives a sense of belonging- a home if you wish. 2. This burden is my 💪. and its my duty to harness it in the most valuable way. This took years to embrace - The Jack of all trades master of none does not apply to all. I am reviewing my approach to posting and I would love to read your comments on which of my post genre you enjoy I have some data but I would love some real comments and context as to what you like about my posts so I consider this in my review. What kind of posts do you like? Why do you like my posts? Will you help me in my Linkedin Review? Use the comment section or DM. Be kind and honest in your choice of words.

Shell's recent announcement of selling SPDC and exiting onshore activities marks a transformative moment in the energy sector. I reached out to a mentor and asked how this would affect the Nigerian Young Professionals and Fresh Graduates? He said this change would bring both opportunities and challenges. Opportunities Ahead: 1. Global Exposure: The entry of new players would open doors for Nigerian young professionals to engage in global collaborations and projects, broadening their horizons and offering exposure to international best practices. 2. Innovation: Expect a push for innovation as companies reevaluate strategies. Your adaptability and creativity will be key assets. 3. Skill Enhancement: Stay agile and invest in enhancing your skill set. Industries in transition often value versatility. 4. Networking: Connect with professionals in the evolving landscape. Networking can be a game-changer during periods of change. 5. Skills Transfer: Experienced professionals from Shell would offer mentorship and knowledge transfer opportunities to young talents. Challenges Ahead: 1. Transition Period Uncertainty: The period of transition could create uncertainty in terms of job roles and structures, posing challenges for young professionals in terms of career planning and stability. 2. Regulatory Adjustments: Changes in ownership may bring about regulatory adjustments. Adapting to new regulatory frameworks and compliance standards could be a challenge for young professionals entering the industry. 3. Talent Retention: New players may seek to retain experienced talent, potentially limiting immediate opportunities for fresh graduates. The challenge lies in finding ways to stand out and secure positions in this competitive environment. 4. Infrastructure Gaps: The restructuring may unveil infrastructure gaps that pose challenges for young professionals, especially in areas like technology and data management. Bridging these gaps may require additional training and resources. 5. Cultural Shifts: The introduction of new entities could bring about cultural shifts in the industry. Young professionals may face challenges in adapting to new corporate cultures and dynamics, requiring effective navigation of these changes. #EnergyIndustry #CareerOpportunities #ProfessionalGrowth #IndustryTransition

Well where to start with this post. Just had my last day at Shell Energy after 5 years. Sadly it has come to an end due to redundancy, not the way I wanted to go but if I've learnt anything these past few years is that things dont always work out how you want. It still hasn't sank in that I won't be working here anymore or that I won't be doing the drive into the office that I always moaned about, I don't think it is going to sink in for while and dread the day it does. What a ride I've been on whilst here, met some amazing people and learnt so much. I remember joining not knowing what I wanted to do but ready to enter the world of work and build a career something I feel like I have achieve, my first day being so nervous to speak to new people but met people and hit it off instantly. I am now leaving this business as a highly rated individual which any company won't believe their luck to snap up (very humble I know) I have learnt a lot about the saying "oh its only a job" yes sometimes it is a job but the emotions you feel isn't the loss of the job but the loss of the people around you the culture that you have been apart of, the friends you made a long the way. Jobs can be replaced but the people I've met can't be replaced and what currently hurts most about this experience is not being around the people anymore, not being able to walk round the office to have catch ups or send a little chats with inside jokes. With work you never know whats round the corner but I hope I don't experience this again as it's been horrible. The past few weeks seeing the once positive office atmosphere turn to one of negativity and people having their final conversations has not been great, seeing people get upset when in conversation but not being able to do much for them but just listen has not been nice for me. I will say to any recruiters on here, if you see Shell Energy on a profile or CV, snap them up straight away, you won't regret it.

There are too many low-level developers trying to get straight into software engineering. In this video, I explain a solution for these people: the "bridge system engineer." **Who is this for?** - Bilingual/trilingual foreigners in Japan who like IT but not full time programming - Bootcamp graduates in Japan who understand software development but might not be keen to be full-time engineers - Engineers in Japan who are tired of writing code all day and want to switch careers while staying within tech For many people, a full-on software engineering career might be too much. To make yourself valuable in Japan, a bridge system engineer might be the right choice for you. It requires soydev-level IT skills and decent translation/interpretation skills. Not only do I think this is a great option for many bilingual/trilingual foreigners, but it is also a growing position. One could transition into a Project Manager from a bridge system engineer, where you not only manage the project but also manage the offshore developers. Contents of the video - What is a Bridge System Engineer? - Who should be a BRSE? - The business model - Why offshore dev / BRSE is needed in Japan? - Day to Day tasks for BRSE

Do you know what a portfolio career is? Are you having one or thinking of starting one? Next week on Wednesday the 13th at 15:00 hrs NL time, I have the privilege of sharing my own experience with building and executing a portfolio career. I do this through a webinar of the Shell Alumni Network. If you are interested, please sign up via this link: Building a Portfolio Career by Johan Pieters (shellalumni.org) #portfoliocareer #careerdevelopment #work #careergrowth #learning

HEY EVERYONE! Check out my good friend Stuart's Experience/Skills on his LinkedIn page and offer this great man a great job, NOW! He's a super valuable asset to any company and has such a wealth of experience and knowledge to share, so why not let him share it with you? #HireStuItsTheRightThingToDo

Though I don't often share on LinkedIn, today felt like the right time to do so. Shell has officially transferred its Chemical and Energy Park in Singapore to a JV between Chandra Asri Group and Glencore. Firstly, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to those who reached out after the divestment news. Your concern means a lot to me. While I thought I was prepared for this moment, the reality hit me harder than expected, and it was a day filled with mixed emotions. Nonetheless, amidst this transition, I wanted to reflect on the positives: 1) I am super thankful for the opportunity Shell provided me straight out of university. It was not an easy journey considering I don’t have much experience in the industry. Regardless, the challenges shaped me, thanks to the patient guidance of my leaders. Their teachings have left me enlightened, and the lessons learned will stay with me for years to come. 2) This experience has showed me what I value for in an employer: transparency and genuine care for their people. Despite the uncertainties, Shell's leadership consistently prioritized our well-being, reinforcing the importance of putting people first— something I vow to uphold wherever my career leads. 3) Finally, the friendships forged during my time at Shell. Thank you for being an unwavering pillar of support and always being tactful to empathise with my situation. As we part ways professionally, I sincerely hope our friendship will last beyond this chapter. Finally, a shoutout to my peers—our Shell journey may be concluding, but it's just the beginning of a new chapter for us. Let’s use this to make the chemical and energy park even greater moving forward. 😊