Massive Leadership Acceleration in an Indonesian State-Owned Company

Imagine a company facing a massive leadership gap due to the imminent retirement of nearly all senior leaders. This was the challenge Pertamina, a leading Indonesian state-owned company, faced.

Pertamina’s strategic talent gap posed a significant risk, not just to the company itself, but to the nation, as Pertamina provides 80% of Indonesia’s fuel. The energy needs of a fast-growing middle class were at stake.

Pertamina launched Catalyser, the largest leadership accelerator program in Southeast Asia. The program focused on developing leadership capabilities and aspirations among high-potential middle managers.

Catalyser successfully addressed the leadership gap, with 70% of the first cohort promoted and 66% moving to different departments to gain experience. The program also facilitated the integration of leaders from acquired companies, with 75% of participants transferred into Pertamina leadership positions. Catalyser’s success has not only benefited Pertamina but has also inspired other companies in the region to develop their own world-class leadership programs.

Project Documentation

WINNER GOLD EFMD GLOBAL 2020: Category Talent Development

What is EFMD?
EFMD is a global non-profit organization committed to improving the quality and relevance of management development worldwide. EFMD accredits business schools and corporate learning and development programs, and awards the Excellence in Practice (EIP) Award to organizations that have demonstrated outstanding partnerships in the areas of leadership, professional, talent and organizational development.

For 2020, the Indonesian company Pertamina won the award in talent development for the Catalyser leadership programme co-created with INSEAD (learning partner), Deloitte (learning partner), Tjitra Associates (senior advisor) and myself in the role of senior advisor. Our co-creation of Catalyser demonstrates the advantages of “gotong royong” (Indonesian word for collaboration) in developing global Asian leaders.