Workplace Stories

We want to ensure that front-line supervisors and managers are prepared and confident enough to lead their crews, teams and departments in a progressive, inspiring and healthy way. To this end, the Supervisor Leadership Development Program was launched in 2007. The program aims to develop the management and leadership skills of Goldcorp supervisors, enhance Goldcorp’s identity, build a common framework for leading the organization, and identify the top talent at the supervisory level.

The program consists of a group of 16–24 people who take part in three workshops, inter-session assignments, and a final Action Challenge together. The focus of the first workshop is “Me”, and the theme is understanding one’s own behaviours, mental models, and strategies for dealing with supervisory challenges. The focus of the second workshop is “My Team”, and it covers the role of the leader in managing a team effectively. The focus of the third workshop is “My Organization”. The goal of this workshop is to challenge traditional, and often ineffective, forms of managerial decision-making.

After the third workshop, participants embark on the Action Challenge, which is an integrative activity that provides an opportunity for the participants to apply all of the skills they have learned throughout the program. Participants present the results of their Action Challenges to an audience consisting of senior managers and executives. In preparation for their presentation, participants also attend a two-day course on Speaking as a Leader. Approximately 600 participants (representing all of the Canadian, US, Mexican, Guatemalan and Chilean operations, as well as the corporate offices) have completed, or are currently participating in, the Supervisor Leadership Development Program. This program remains a cornerstone of our overall leadership development at Goldcorp.

At Goldcorp, we view the development of managers’ leadership and management skills as a key objective. To this end, the Art of Leadership, Science of Management program was launched in October 2008. This program is aimed at high-potential senior site managers who have a strong interest in undergoing a serious learning challenge that will expand their awareness, knowledge and skills in the program areas.

The program consists of groups of 12–20 people who take part in two workshops, inter-session assignments, as well as extensive individual coaching. The focus of the first workshop (“Art of Leadership”) is self-exploration, and learning to value the interplay between the “soft” and “hard” skills required of leaders and managers. In the second workshop (“Science of Management”), the focus is on the business of running a $2 billion company. Activities centre on the management of strategic decisions, systems and operations, finances and change.

More than 200 participants across Goldcorp’s three regions have completed or started this program. This program is now available in Spanish for our operations in Central/South America and Mexico.

In our quest to become a 21st-century mining organization, we need to ensure that each front-line employee has the right knowledge, skills, abilities and awareness to not only do a good job but also be a strong company “citizen” or team player. To this end, we developed Dare to Grow – a unique program for all front-line employees that focuses on individual leadership, team orientation and personal development. We also aim to help foster strong corporate values, culture and team identity, as well as develop interpersonal skills among all employees at Goldcorp.

The program consists of a group of 16–20 people who take part in 12 two-hour workshops and inter-session assignments. All of the workshops are held on-site and facilitated by one of the site supervisors and a member of the human resources or training team at the site. These facilitators are alumni of the Goldcorp Supervisor Leadership Development Program.

The program was launched successfully in Canada, the US and Mexico, and is available in French and Spanish as well as English.

During 2010 Goldcorp implemented a new performance management tool, as well as a new performance evaluation and career development process. The implementation included users in Canada, the US and Mexico – a total of approximately 1,600 employees. All users received training on the process that the company now follows, as well as the basic skills needed to use the tool. 2011 saw an increase in participation, with 100% attainment in Mexico operations.

The following are the objectives of the one day training session that all users attended. Participants were guided to:

• Understand the rationale behind Goldcorp’s approach to performance management.
• Describe the performance management cycle and timeline.
• Define the roles/responsibilities for all those involved in the review process.
• Describe and practice setting objectives at the departmental and individual level.
• Understand Goldcorp’s competencies.
• Describe development planning and potential development activities in support of strategic business and personal objectives and competencies.
• Introduce feedback conversations.

This program is aimed at those managers who make investment and budgetary decisions and inputs.

Program objectives:

• To assist managers to manage Goldcorp like a business – thereby supporting our Grow Margins strategy;
• To develop and improve managers’ financial literacy;
• To give managers the tools and concepts they need to handle the financial aspects of their business;
• To promote better decision-making and better communication of the financial aspects of decisions, especially as they relate to capital budgeting;
• To give managers an understanding of the broader financial issues facing the Company; and
• To help develop common perspectives and common processes throughout the Company.

This course was first presented in April 2008 and is available in English and Spanish. More than 300 employees from across Goldcorp have attended the program so far.

The need for project management training was initially highlighted by the Porcupine mine. The program content was developed around the five stages outlined by the Project Management Institute – Initiating, Planning, Execution, Controlling and Termination. There are specific disciplines associated with each of these phases and the program takes participants through each phase and introduces them to the practices, disciplines and tools that can help them to organize and run projects in an efficient and effective way.

The program was first presented in October 2008. It runs over four days and emphasizes both the tasks and disciplines associated with efficient project management and the team and people management disciplines that are associated with effective project management.

It is available in English and Spanish. In 2011 this program was reviewed, and adjustments were made for 2012 and beyond.

Open since 2009, CONALEP (The National College of Technical Professional Education) near Peñasquito was built and equipped by Goldcorp, in alliance with federal, state and municipal authorities, as well as regional suppliers and partners. This year, 254 students aged 15 to 19 are enrolled, studying computer sciences, English, human development, electromechanics, industrial engineering, dance and music. Goldcorp offers scholarships for students interested in a mining career.

“CONALEP gave me an opportunity for which I am most grateful. It fills me with pride belonging to this institution. Peñasquito mine really helped our progress, not just on campus, but whole families.”

Saira Deyanira Gaona Mariscal, teacher

The Marlin mine is Guatemala’s first gold mine of any significant size, and from the outset Goldcorp has endeavoured to build lasting, meaningful partnerships with surrounding communities. Of the Marlin mine’s 1,900 workers, 98% are Guatemalan residents. Through our work with the ministry of education to hire additional teachers, over 3,000 students in 22 communities who previously were not attending school now have access to education. School enrollment is up by 82% since the mine commenced operations.

At Goldcorp, growing people is a corporate priority. Now a new opportunity has emerged to further that growth by developing and supporting the women of Goldcorp worldwide.

Anna Tudela, Goldcorp’s Vice-President of Regulatory Affairs and Corporate Secretary, announced the launch of Creating Choices™, an enterprise-wide program that builds on leadership. Delivered in partnership with The Humphrey Group, this program is designed to engage, support and develop the full potential of women at Goldcorp.

Program Overview

Creating Choices™ is an enterprise-wide program that provides participants with the following tangible benefits:

• Skill development – At the heart of Creating Choices™ is a six-module program, delivered by Goldcorp women to Goldcorp women. The modules provide powerful learning in the areas of: building self-esteem, daring to dream, choosing to take the stage, unlocking the power of your voice, creating a leader’s script, and achieving the presence of a leader.
• Networking – When women come together for the six modules they form a networking group and friendships that endure long after the modules are complete. These networks offer the opportunity to meet other women at Goldcorp and to share experiences and paths to success.
• Mentoring - During the program women are mentored by a Goldcorp colleague who leads the group through the learning process. After, they can be matched with new formal mentors (men or women) who will help them continue to grow.

Successful Information Sessions

Anna Tudela and Brenda Allen, Senior Consultant with The Humphrey Group, had the pleasure of meeting with eager and inspiring Goldcorp women in Mexico City and Guatemala City in early June 2011, where site champions came together to hear about the program and experience some of its benefits during a one-day information session. They were each given program brochures and were tasked with sharing details of the program at their sites and collecting the names of people interested in participating in the program.

In October, Anna and Brenda traveled to Honduras to facilitate the “Train-The-Trainer/Entrenar a la Entrenadora” course to the 25 women on the Mexico and Guatemala Steering Committees. Following this, the program was launched in these countries at all locations!

Summary

Goldcorp’s commitment to growing people is one way the company ensures it gets the most from its employees and creates a competitive advantage. Through Creating Choices™ Goldcorp will further that commitment by becoming the first international gold mining company to offer this kind of enterprise-wide program for women.