IPLOCA NextGen Day in Mallorca

For the first time, IPLOCA hosted a dedicated NextGen Day, bringing together 16 NextGen members in Mallorca for a focused and inspiring experience designed to foster learning, connection, and forward-thinking leadership.

The day was guided by Dr. Mustafa Abusalah, Group Manager, Project Control Systems and Processes at CCC, who led an engaging and highly interactive workshop centered on leadership, organizational awareness, and the often unseen dynamics that shape decision-making within complex projects. His sessions challenged participants to look beyond formal structures and better understand the human and informal elements that influence outcomes. Among the key themes explored:

The “Shadow Organization”; what appears on an organizational chart represents only a fraction of reality; informal networks, alliances, and personal relationships often shape decisions more than formal authority structures

Formal vs. Informal Power; participants examined how influence flows through both official reporting lines and informal channels built on trust, shared history, and personal connections

The “Balcony vs. Dance Floor” Perspective; effective leadership requires the ability to step back from day-to-day execution, the “dance floor”, to observe broader patterns and dynamics, the “balcony”, enabling better strategic decisions

Emotional Intelligence & Stakeholder Awareness; understanding emotions, motivations, and unspoken concerns is critical to influencing stakeholders and navigating complex project environments

Teamwork & Adaptive Collaboration; through practical exercises, participants explored trust, communication, agility, and iterative improvement as essential pillars of high-performing teams

Beyond the workshop, the day was equally about building relationships and strengthening the NextGen network. In the afternoon, participants immersed themselves in the cultural richness of Mallorca with a guided visit to the iconic Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma, La Seu, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture overlooking the Mediterranean. Bathed in light from its magnificent rose window and shaped by centuries of history, the cathedral offered a moment of reflection and inspiration, perfectly complementing the themes of perspective and insight explored earlier in the day.

This was followed by a stroll through the vibrant streets of Palma, where history, culture, and modern energy converge, before concluding with a dinner that allowed conversations to continue in a more relaxed and personal setting. It was in these moments, between discussions, shared experiences, and new connections, that the true spirit of NextGen came to life. Participants left the day energized, inspired, and aligned on the importance of continuing such initiatives. The overwhelmingly positive feedback reinforced the value of creating dedicated spaces for the next generation of industry leaders to connect, learn, and grow together.

Building on this momentum, IPLOCA looks forward to hosting the next NextGen Day in Vienna on 27 October 2026, just ahead of the IPLOCA HSE Workshop and the Novel Construction Session, continuing to invest in the future of our industry and the leaders who will shape it.