Growing Up Global
by Deirdre Coots
Growing Up Global
by Deirdre Coots
Growing Up Global
by Deirdre Coots
I

had always worked at places with very black and white structures and management: You executed your duties, you reported to those above you, you wore one hat, and you never saw the big picture or how your work contributed. It was work, and there was no true passion.

People are so curious about what I do and, ultimately, my journey. How on earth did I land myself in the position of running an entire region for a marine construction company, overseeing incredibly talented employees who do something I have never done and for which I have no specific industry training? In my mind, the answer is simple: I became a leader at Global.

In 2007, I was offered an opportunity to support the writing of inspection reports for a local diving company. The reports are a compilation of the findings and recommendations for clients after subsea inspections. I was terrified I wouldn’t know what to do, but with some good teachers I was able to support the business and was eager to learn. In 2009, after Offshore Divers was purchased by Global Diving & Salvage, Inc., I started my new role as the administrative assistant running the Anchorage office. I was responsible for implementing Global’s processes and systems in their newly acquired region. It was incredibly exciting and challenging to be a part of this new adventure with the company.

I quickly realized that Global was not like any company in my work history. I was given the freedom to take on great responsibility. If I made a mistake I was to hold myself accountable, learn from the lesson and move forward in my growth and responsibilities.

My first manager at Global taught me to stand on my own. I learned how to handle a response call in the middle of the night, put together a team for the response and even discuss contracting and costs with clients. I felt confident handling things in my manager’s absence, and he trusted I could make decisions when the time came and reach out for support when needed. I was a part of a team and saw each day the impact of my decisions and the work I performed. I immersed myself in learning the business and asked many questions. It was the foundation of everything I would grow to learn and the structure that would later support me in my efforts to pass the same forward in ways I couldn’t yet envision.

My roles and responsibilities grew. Global’s footprint was increasing fast in Alaska, and I was spending more time with clients and seeking out potential work. With growth came the need for support, and one day I had my first employee. I knew I wanted someone who was smarter than me and had the desire to drive initiatives that would make us better. Someone who could see the big picture, be independent and wear the hats needed to get the job done. In combination with these skills, they needed to not be afraid of making mistakes along the way.

Having passion for what you do is contagious and can create a productive and vibrant force.
Let’s face it: As people, we all fall sometimes. If we make mistakes we must own them and learn from them. There’s no shame in something going wrong, only in denying it, hiding it and cheating yourself of an opportunity to learn and grow. I wanted to lead in a way that nurtured growth. One of my greatest successes has been watching my direct reports flourish and feel comfortable making decisions, knowing that they are fully accountable for their actions.

In November 2011, I was humbled and honored to be promoted by my first manager at Global to the position of General Manager of the Alaska Region. I still pinch myself today about that moment and wonder how this girl one semester shy of graduating from college, who never went to dive school or worked in construction, could make this work. But inside I knew I could do it. Today, I know that I was becoming a leader and was so very passionate about this industry, Global and what was next. The managers I have worked for since 2009 educated me in our business and what we do. They saw potential in me and took a chance on letting me create something that would work for the region and for Global.

I was trained on the job with a hands-on approach like many on our management team. When I look around at my region and the whole company, I see the faces of those who have grown up at Global like me, whether they came up as environmental techs, safety personnel, administrative assistants, financial clerks, divers, tenders, or casualty project coordinators. They worked hard, were given a long rope, saw the big picture and wanted to be a part of the team that would advance Global.

Having passion for what you do is contagious and can create a productive and vibrant force. As a leader, I want my passion for Global and this industry to spread to my team, for them to always know that what they do impacts the bigger picture. Luckily, this amazing team has talent, initiative and drive, and I am proud to say they are smarter than me and have passion for what they do every day. I am humbled to work alongside of them and watch their journeys unfold.

My journey has not always been easy. The mistakes and lessons learned were always a challenge to process. The toughest part of being passionate about something is that when something is not right, you feel it personally and emotionally. But I wouldn’t have it any other way!

The past 10 years have been impressive; I feel incredibly blessed that I was given this opportunity. I became a leader at Global because of leaders who grew here and shared everything with me. They gave me a chance to take this journey, and throughout my 10 years I earned confidence in myself and from the management team. I will continue to pass it forward to my team by striving to guide and encouraging initiative, daily working alongside them with our focus on the bigger picture of our future and the vision for our next 40 years.

Deirdre Coots is a proud Alaskan who has worked in the commercial diving industry for morethan 10 years. She attended the University of Alaska in Fairbanks, later accepting a position as administrative assistant for Global. Her passion for this industry set her course: In 2011 she waspromoted to General Manager. Responsible for all aspects of the region’s daily operation, herknowledge of Alaska’s businesses has fostered Global’s development.

Deirdre Coots is a proud Alaskan who has worked in the commercial diving industry for morethan 10 years. She attended the University of Alaska in Fairbanks, later accepting a position as administrative assistant for Global. Her passion for this industry set her course: In 2011 she waspromoted to General Manager. Responsible for all aspects of the region’s daily operation, herknowledge of Alaska’s businesses has fostered Global’s development.