Feeling the pulse: Your relationship health check
Insights | 17 November 2023
We know that the level of social risk associated with a project is linked to the quality of relationships with local people but how can you know where you stand?
There are two simple ways to do a rapid reality check.
The first is to pay attention for changes in the tone of meetings with government agencies, partners and community members. If they are becoming less friendly, more demanding and accusations start flying it isn’t hard to work out things are heading in the wrong direction. On the other hand, a friendly welcome and a sense of shared purpose say that you are doing okay.
The second is to note and keep track of changes in behaviour and attitude you see happening in the community. Good signs include:
- New notices from the company remain on community noticeboards without being defaced
- Low theft levels, little damage to company property
- Downward trend of community incidents or complaints
- More people associating improvements in their quality of life with the presence of the company
- Outsiders (journalists, NGOs, politicians) campaigning on an anti-corporate platform get no local support
- More community requests that benefit the community rather than individuals
- More community requests that focus on life-skills development instead of demand for material things
- Less or no public outrage following accidents
- Community members identify troublemakers and inform company staff about (security) rumours in the community
- People say they have access to site management and say the company is responsive to their concerns
- People waving back when greeted
- Government officials publicly acknowledge that the company keeps them informed and has enabled them to be more effective
- The government increases its social services presence in the local area
- Government officials are present and are responsive to company and community requests
- Civil servants say they feel respected in the community due to the company presence
- The government includes the company in discussions around policy and regulation
- Journalists highlight the benefits of the company presence
- Credible NGO want to be associated with the company
- No advocacy NGO are active in the local communities
- Outside groups regard the company’s practices to be among the best.
During exploration, running through the checklist at the start and end of your field season will help you to keep up to date on community and government sentiment and should flag if relationships are starting to head off the rails. It will also give you the opportunity of some quiet(er) time back in your home office to think about what you might do differently next season.
If you're in construction or operations, checking-in every two or three months will give a good view on where you sit and the opportunity to make changes in your quarterly workplan and reforecast / budget update. If you already know you have a poor relationship and you are taking steps to improve then using the checklist is a quick way to gauge if your changes are working.
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