Leadership Beyond Bias | Curiosity, Humility and The Making of Leaders

In this episode of Oil & Gas: Breaking Bias, Anand Jha speaks with Simon Ross, Senior Vice President of Global Supply at SLB, about leadership, curiosity, and long-term growth in the energy industry. Simon reflects on career evolution, industry bias, diversity, and why humility, self-awareness, and enjoying the work you do are essential for sustainable leadership. Key Takeaways • Curiosity and humility are core leadership traits • Enjoying your work is critical for long-term success • Diversity leads to better decisions and innovation • Growth often comes from stepping outside comfort zones • Mentorship plays a key role in career development • The energy industry is evolving toward sustainability and technology • Self-awareness helps leaders recognize and overcome bias Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Simon Ross and His Journey 02:20 Early Life and Education 08:53 Career Path and Key Experiences 15:59 Self-Bias and Career Progression 18:30 The Future of the Energy Industry 22:09 Diversity and Opportunities in Oil and Gas 23:58 Reflections on Career and Personal Growth 25:44 The Importance of Mentorship and Guidance 27:10 Exciting Experiences in Global Energy Hubs 28:06 Transformative Technologies in Supply Chain Management 30:30 Fueling Creativity: Coffee and Leadership Insights 31:01 Books That Shape Leadership Perspectives 32:27 Curiosity and Humility in Leadership 34:28 Key Takeaways for Success 35:10 Challenging Industry Biases and Sustainability Keywords leadership, energy industry, supply chain, diversity, personal growth, career development, oil and gas, transformation, mentorship, innovation