Thread regarding ExxonMobil Corp. layoffs

@OP - that's funny. In EMRE (up in Clinton), they started a series of "Tech Talks" focusing on innovative tools and products that originated with ideas from regular staff. One subject was a improved product claims database; another was a sensor to monitor oil/equipment condition; a third was a "lab in a box" for on-site testing of lubricants.

The aim of these talks was to inspire technical staff to be innovative, but the problem is that the common theme for all of them was: (1) staff came up with a novel idea, (2) management were unsupportive, (3) technical staff continued the work in their own time, (4) management found out and were unsupportive of continued work, (5) technical staff continued working anyway and came up with a product that was 99% complete, (6) when presented with a working prototype, management were convinced and gave the green light.

So, what do you think the take-away was? Technical staff need to be more innovative and persistent, or management has their collective heads so far up their own butts that they can't see a good idea when it's glaring them in the face?

Yes but that didn't stop me. What did stop me was tanking in the ranking because I dared advocate a different approach. After that, realizing I couldn't climb out of that hole, I shut up, took my lumps, worked as little as possible, and started a countdown to retirement and looking for a job. That's a case study about how RIP (retired in place) are made.

OP: I wish I could tell you my story of actually succeeding. It took me years, I overcame much indifference, some hostility, but I succeeded. Don't ask permission, just do it. Your managers are mainly small-minded products of the MDP machine. I worked a lot of nights and weekends to make it happen. Problem with our mgr class is that their prime directive is: first do not f— anything up. As such they are too risk averse.

Where are pursuing innovative projects on your RACI chart? No where.

Yes, for me if there’s a single major reason for leaving this company it’s because of this. Symptom of ineffective short-sighted leadership plaguing this company culture. But hey, we’ve got innovation time!

Yes, or for “small” innovative things similar to what some competitors are doing we are told we won’t do that, we’ll just focus on the next “big” thing because when XOM does something it does is “ bigly” :) and then that big thing never works or even actually starts and we are back to doing nothing innovative/ new/ sustainable. It’s such a weird way of thinking ... paralyzed of failing and paralyzed of “small” progresses... and then new management comes 1.5 years into anything and it’s back to square one and business as usual.

Yes all the time, it’s very disappointing. End up working on these projects using spare time because it’s the right thing to do.

I had a colleague who for years worked to get a new analysis technique "qualified" for use. Due to his efforts our competitors even heard about it and started using it. He couldn't get it approved until an SME retired. I'm pretty sure the SME just wasn't smart enough to understand it and saw it as a threat since he wouldn't be the "expert" anymore. Fast forward 10 years after SME's retirement and the technique has now been approved and colleague is being praised by management for all the industry recognition he is receiving for developing the technique. Meanwhile we missed ten years of benefit using the technique while our competitors passed us by.

Fail fast is talked about, but I have yet to see it implemented. Doing work with ourselves is the norm and stifles innovation in most cases, slows it in the few cases it is actually attempted.