In our special column this month, we are glad to host an interview with Mrs. Jeanine Drummond, Managing Director and Principal Maritime Advisor at Integral Maritime, who highlights the fundamental importance of ensuring psychological safety and a speak up culture onboard, so as to eliminate bullying, harassment, victimization and assault.
Furthermore, she enjoys being able to work remotely and use of flexible working hours as this has provided greater opportunities to work with a wider range of clients, on a variety of different projects that would not have been readily available a few years ago.
SAFETY4SEA: How did it come about that you joined shipping industry and your field of expertise specifically?
Jeanine Drummond: When finishing school I was looking for a career that had travel and adventure, when a neighbourhood friend, who was a marine engineer, suggested a seagoing career. We went to visit his ship when it was next in port, and while he tried hard to sell me the merits of the engine room, I really preferred the room with a view and applied for a Deck Officer cadetship.
S4S: What about your current job/ role most excites you and why?
J.Dr.: As a marine advisor I am most excited that I am able to draw on my diverse maritime and shipping experiences, both at sea and ashore to support our clients, who we share a similar vision achieve improved sustainability, modernization, and innovative operations across the maritime sector, and importantly be able to highlight and work to deliver improved working conditions for people in maritime, especially seafarers.
S4S: When you think of the word successful who’s the first person who comes to mind and why?
J.Dr.: So many people jump to mind, I couldn’t choose just one. The vision of success continues to evolve for me, where I find myself truly admiring those people who have the balance in life right, tipping the scales slightly one way, and then back while working towards making a difference in the world around them in how they choose to do so, and that of their joy they create in their own and family’s life.
S4S: Who is/was the most influential person/mentor to you & why ?
J.Dr.: I have been privileged to have had many influential people and mentors along my maritime journey, who have all played a role in providing motivation, career advice, technical knowledge, moral support and encouragement. I am grateful for every one of them.
S4S: What is the best and what was the worst piece of advice you’ve ever been given and why?
J.Dr.: Say yes to opportunities, even when you may be thinking no. This has been the best advice for the occasions where I have doubted my readiness, ability or experience to take on something new or different, yet sometimes I have said yes, when “no” may have been more appropriate yet I didn’t want to let other people down, and on reflection it was only myself I was really letting down.
S4S: What is the most worthwhile career investment (in energy, time, money) you’ve ever made?
J.Dr.: To be always learning, formally or informally. Being curious and inquisitive, listening and learning from the people around me, so as to develop my own informed views of where issues can be resolved, effective strategies developed and meaningful progress made. To lead a learning culture where people are supported to embrace change and uncertainty as a positive aspect in their workplace, instead of one of fear and holding back necessary adoption of best practices.
S4S: If you could give a piece of advice to your 18-year-old-self one thing, what would it be and why? What piece of advice should you ignore?
J.Dr.: I would insist that she finds experienced mentors, at least one an experienced female mariner, to coach and guide her on her seagoing and maritime career journey. Ignoring the advice of “You cant say anything until you are ‘older, more senior, more experienced etc’” as this fundamentally restricts maritime workplace psychological safety, mental well being and opportunity for improved operational safety.
S4S: In the last five years, what new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved your business life?
J.Dr.: Being able to work remotely and use of flexible working hours has provided greater opportunities to work with a wider range of clients, including internationally, on a variety of different projects that would not have been readily available a few years ago. This way of working has also created improved collaboration and partnerships, and new ways of reaching out, and connecting with people.
S4S:What would you like to change in the current maritime landscape and your area of expertise specifically and why?
J.Dr.: Improved support and accountability for seafarer well being and mental health onboard vessel, including the fundamental importance of psychological safety and speak up culture, so as to eliminate bullying, harassment, victimization and assault, especially sexual harassment and assault onboard vessel. This will occur through a coordinated global effort to deliver a platform for effective and transparent reporting and investigation, supported by mandatory education in inclusive workplace culture and psychological safety in STCW Personal Safety and Social Responsibility model course, as well as at any other opportunity to enhance a mariners knowledge and understanding in this area.
S4S: What is your personal motto?
J.Dr.: To succeed, you need to be prepared to fail.
The views presented hereabove are only those of the author and do not necessarily those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.
