Mining project communication strategies for community trust

💬 In many undervalued communities, there is an abundance of talk about what needs to be done. The conversations are filled with insights about available resources, the steps required for progress, and the strategies that could transform these regions. 💨 However, when the time comes to move from discussion to implementation, a gap appears. This gap is frequently attributed to external factors: big businesses and governments not playing their part. Yet, an overlooked aspect is how we, as community members, can enable these entities to assist us more effectively. 👉 I often challenge people who express frustration with external support by asking, "How do you help them to help you?" This question is vital because it shifts the focus from what others are not doing to what we can do to facilitate their assistance. 🤷♂️ Recently, I encountered situations where we provided comprehensive, pre-packaged solutions to longstanding problems, requesting only letters of support to leverage additional stakeholder resources. Surprisingly, even this minimal requirement met resistance. 😡 This reluctance appears to stem from a deep-seated EGO—a reflection of what individuals could not achieve alone, which they would rather sabotage than support. This behavior not only hinders progress but can also cost the community valuable time and opportunities. 👍 Here are a few strategies that we use to help navigate and mitigate these challenges: 🙏 1. Build Trust Through Transparency: Ensure that all stakeholders are fully informed about the project's goals, benefits, and the importance of their role. Transparency fosters trust and can reduce the sense of threat some may feel. 👂 2. Engage in Active Listening: Understand the concerns and reservations of those who seem resistant. Their reluctance may stem from past experiences or a lack of understanding of the current initiative. Listening can help address these issues more effectively. 🚀 3. Showcase Success Stories: Share examples of similar initiatives that succeeded due to collective effort. Highlighting tangible benefits can motivate individuals to participate more willingly. 🤝 4. Create Ownership: Make community members feel like they are an integral part of the project. When people feel a sense of ownership, they are more likely to contribute positively. 🥳 5. Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate progress, no matter how small. Recognizing contributions can help build momentum and demonstrate that collective efforts yield results. 📈 Transitioning from EGO to EOG - Entrepreneurs Of Greatness is about cultivating a mindset where community members see the value in collaboration and collective success. ☕ Have you ever faced a situation where the simple act of asking for support to advance a community project was met with resistance? How did you handle it?

In Africa’s Oil & Gas Sector, Compliance Alone Doesn’t Build Trust Working on the Tilenga Project taught me one key lesson: regulatory compliance must be matched with clear, honest communication. ✔️ Compliance ≠ Connection Fulfilling ESG and local content requirements doesn’t guarantee community support or investor confidence. What matters is how those commitments are communicated. ✔️ Build Goodwill Through Engagement Regular dialogue with PAPs reduced tensions and built trust. Partnering with local leaders turned skeptics into supporters. Sharing real stories and not just stats thus humanizing the project. ✔️ Reputation Is a Competitive Edge Companies that communicate their ESG and National Content impact don’t just avoid penalties they secure social licenses, attract partners, and future-proof their operations. “In Tilenga’s resettlement program, monthly town halls with PAPs reduced grievances by 30% within a year proving that listening is as critical as compliance.” Question: How can African oil & gas firms better align compliance with communication to build lasting goodwill? #OilAndGas #ESG #StakeholderEngagement #NationalContent #Tilenga #AfricaEnergy #CorporateCommunication #Tilenga #TEPU #PAU #SLB #GoU #UNOC #EACOP #Sustainablity #SinopecUg

People remember when they weren’t included in things that should have involved them. And it's hard to win them back when you need them in the future. I can speak to this because I stay happily busy working the community relations and PR side of public-private partnerships (PPP). I like it when different groups collaborate to deliver public service or community-needed and supported projects. 💕 So, my biggest red flag warning for leaders starting one of these projects is: 1. INCLUDE 2. INFORM 3. LISTEN … and show the rationale behind who the project leadership is, how planning will be executed, and why decisions are being made. Because you really do need to earn public consent with PPP initiatives. This is not just for the short-term building block phase but also for the longer-term success of the project. If you ignore communicating with the right people, that poor decision can, and likely will, delay or even derail a project. Worse, project stakeholders, funders, voters, and user groups will remember how they felt when you disregarded their input or involvement. So, as you start up, don’t forget to include and listen to the people the project will serve and depend on for its short and long-term success. So, do you have communications, specifically community relations, as part of your PPP strategy plan? If you don't, why not? 📷 : Some of my favorite PPP partners with Friends of the Woodman's Center.