It’s been 25 years since I was hired in my native Colombia, and I didn’t even realize it.

Over time, you come to understand that your decisions have a significant impact on the people around you—and that how you approach those decisions is shaped by what you learn during your years in the company.

You’ll also find that, sometimes, the option that feels right may not be the one that looks best on paper. But still, you follow your instinct.

I have one of those moments that I still hold very close to me.

About six months into my role as geomarket manager for Mexico and Central America, COVID hit. We had to close our offices, but our workshops and teams in the field continued operating. Our people kept showing up every day, and yet there I was, “leading” from behind a screen.

That didn’t sit right with me, so after assessing every protocol in place, I took a plane to our largest facility.

It wasn’t an easy decision, but leadership requires visibility, empathy, and shared accountability. Being there to listen and stand alongside my team reinforced that we see our employees as human beings and support their dedication to keeping our world running.

From then on, that's how we experienced COVID in our location: by being both present and considerate.

I’ve seen this comradery manifested throughout my career, be it in Italy, Brazil, Colombia, the US, you name it. From true leaders that have shown me the right way to treat our customers, our businesses, and above all, our people—to the time I’ve spent with amazing colleagues, brilliant experts, and even the odd skeptic. They’ve all given me reasons to believe that I was on the right path.

My constant source of strength, however, has always been my husband. Without Marco, my life and career wouldn’t be what they are today. He’s my biggest supporter, an honest critic, a true partner through every high and low, and (believe it or not) also part of the SLB family.

That’s right! Our shared journey has been unfolding under SLB’s blue umbrella for the last two decades. Because that’s how SLB is. It values who you are and the individual contribution you bring, offering support to both you and your family.

I feel profoundly grateful for the learnings, opportunities, and innovation. I’m proud of our collective ability to achieve the unthinkable, powered by people who not only love technology and progress, but also prioritize collaboration and feel a personal responsibility to society.

We become better citizens of the world working for a company that strives for a better today and a better tomorrow. And there’s no greater place to be than surrounded by people who go beyond themselves, taking personal responsibility for the global role of the industry in which we operate.

As SLB celebrates 100 years, I can’t help but wonder what the next century of driving energy innovation will look like—and how my contribution will continue to play its part.