A big congratulations to Mark Bronston, CEO of Legends Exploration LP located in Houston, TX. Mark, along with a team of fellow scientists, received the prestigious 2009 Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada’s Thayer Lindsley Award for the discovery of the Donlin Creek gold deposit, considered to be one of the largest umined pure gold deposits in the world.
During a recent conversation with Mark, I asked this award-winning geophysicist what are the toughest decisions he has to make as CEO. Mark replied, “The toughest decisions are the people-related issues ranging from dealing with regulatory agencies to negotiating with landowners to keeping everyone motivated, enthusiastic and collegial. It never goes away.”
In Mark’s opinion, the oil and gas exploration business attracts a certain kind of people – “Type A people on steriods” – who, at the end of the day, can handle a big failure with nothing to show for their efforts but a dry hole.
Mark offered some advice for high potential Type A’s who have their eyes on the top job.
1. Be absolutely sure you love what you are doing. Don’t let money be your driver.
2. Early in your career seek out the programs and learning opportunities that may not be the most glamorous but will help you create a strong foundation that will set you apart from your peers. Don’t shy away from the blocking and tackling positions.
3. Save yourself some heartache. When you get angry or affronted, hold your breath and count to ten. Consider that email you want to send before you send it. Act professionally regardless of how you feel.
Great advice from a modern day prospector.