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McKinsey conversations with global leaders: Andrew Gould of Schlumberger

Schlumberger’s CEO reflects on the future of oil, the importance of investing in R&D, and the lessons he’s learned about leading a borderless company.

APRIL 2010

Andrew Gould, CEO of oil-field services giant Schlumberger, presides over 80 offices worldwide and a company that, as he describes it, has no national identity. In this video, the latest in our interview series McKinsey conversations with global leaders, Gould shares his views on why leading such a global company successfully requires a belief in meritocracy and equal opportunity across geographies, why oil production will remain strong despite the rise of alternative energies, and why science and innovation form the bedrock of Schlumberger. Ivo Bozon, a director in McKinsey’s Amsterdam office, conducted the interview.

Watch the conversation in our video interactive, or download a PDF of the transcript.


McKinsey conversations with global leaders: Andrew Gould of Schlumberger
Schlumberger’s CEO discusses leadership, innovation, and the future of oil.
Launch Interactive
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Recommend (98)
  • 5 MAY 2010
    Marcelo Mellicovsky
    Commercialization Manager
    3M Canada
    London, Ontario, Canada

    ...I sense a lack of foundational transformation that will be needed to translate Schlumberger’s core differentiations into the next business platforms like water or renewables....

    Read more
    .
    Marcelo Mellicovsky
    Commercialization Manager
    3M Canada
    London, Ontario, Canada

    Mr Gould achieved the almost utopian management paradigm of bringing an organization to collaboratelly think, work, and grow in a true global and diverse fashion. However, with oil having peaked and inevitably on a downward path in the next twenty to fifty years, I sense a lack of foundational transformation that will be needed to translate Schlumberger’s core differentiations into the next business platforms like water or renewables. Instilling a feeling of burning platform while on top of its game might give Schumberger leadership the courage and velocity to grow beyond its current core in the future.

    .
  • 28 APRIL 2010
    Sivaramakrishnan Sadasivam
    CFO
    IL&FS Education & Technology Services Ltd
    Mumbai, India

    Mr. Gould’s comments on the value of values for a company is very true. How everyone wishes that every corporation has clearly laid down values in conduct of their business.

    Read more
    .
    Sivaramakrishnan Sadasivam
    CFO
    IL&FS Education & Technology Services Ltd
    Mumbai, India

    Mr. Gould’s comments on the value of values for a company is very true. How everyone wishes that every corporation has clearly laid down values in conduct of their business.

    .
  • 26 APRIL 2010
    John Cragin
    CEO
    Vertical Learning Curve
    USA

    ...Gould’s practical view of the industry and how it impacts and is impacted by the global marketplace is a micro-lesson in strategic thinking.

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    .
    John Cragin
    CEO
    Vertical Learning Curve
    USA

    I was particularly taken with Gould’s comments on leadership at the CEO level and the importance of giving a new CEO the opportunity to develop his OWN vision and strategy. It will happen anyway, so why not actually encourage the process. Gould’s practical view of the industry and how it impacts and is impacted by the global marketplace is a micro-lesson in strategic thinking.

    .
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McKinsey conversations with global leaders
Our series of video interviews explores vital management issues with chief executives of today’s leading companies. Watch our other interviews in the collection:

John Chambers of Cisco
Jim Owens of Caterpillar
Paul Polman of Unilever
David Rubenstein of The Carlyle Group
Jeroen van der Veer of Shell
Dan Vasella of Novartis
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