The Callen Group began with Kris S. Callen's realization that systems don’t create safety—people do. After decades on rigs and in boardrooms, he saw the missing link: belief. That discovery fuels our passion—helping companies achieve safe, efficient operations consistently. Today,…
We’re at the IADC Brazil Chapter, Coquetel De Networking OTC 2025! Our President, Kris S. Callen, and Brazil Operations Manager, Ronnie Birse, are attending the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) and Coquetel De Networking Event, October 28th in Rio. They are…
“How do I get my team to deliver safe and efficient operations, every single day?”It’s a question many leaders ask, and the answer isn’t found in luck, slogans, or the latest initiative. It’s built on belief, shaped by behavior, and…
Everyone says they’re committed to safety, until the schedule slips or the budget gets tight. That’s when the real test begins. Do we still choose the safe and efficient way when it’s harder, slower, or less convenient? At The Callen…
What if your safety system is doing the opposite of what it was designed to do? In an offshore workshop, we asked: What's your biggest challenge with the Job Safety Analysis (JSA)?. The top answers: 1. Too much paperwork 2.…
Is a power cord stretched across a walkway an unsafe condition or an unsafe behaviour? At first glance, it feels like a condition. After all, the cord itself creates the risk. But what if we asked a different question: Who…
Thank you to the IADC UL Lafayette Student Chapter for the warm welcome and great engagement. Your curiosity, teamwork, and insight were impressive — the future of our industry is secure with young leaders like you. Keep focusing on safety,…
What does it really mean to take your team to new heights? Sometimes, it’s not just about the view... We recently delivered a Safety Leadership Workshop for a global drilling contractor in Busan, South Korea — hosted on the 42nd…
Sometimes, no matter how good the intent, a message doesn’t land. “SAVE THE PLANET!” is a powerful call, but it can feel distant. Add, “And Reduce Back Pain,” and suddenly it’s personal. You stop and think about the impact on…
The IADC AGM in Naples was more than just a “fantastic event.” It was a reminder that our industry moves forward when we deliberately step outside our own perspective. Spending time with Russell Holmes from the Center for Offshore Safety…
After 20 years of working with clients involved in high-risk operations around the globe, Kris founded The Callen Group in April 2017 in order to focus solely on developing and promoting high-performing operational cultures that lead to safe and efficient operations.
He founded Performance Coaching International, served as president from 2005 – 2009, was Senior Vice President at The REACH Group from 2009 – 2017, and is a highly respected Senior Leadership and Safety Facilitator. In addition, he was highly involved in the mergers of Global Marine and SantaFe, Hercules, and TODCO as well as Talisman’s North Sea Operations transfer from Total. Kris remains on the cutting edge of advances in the area of behavioral safety, predominately in the Oil and Gas Sector.
Kris’ career has taken him to 90 countries training over 35,000 people. He has been intimately involved with the development and implementation of Behavioral Safety Processes with Enterprise Offshore, Orion Drilling, Hercules Offshore, as well as the former GlobalSantaFe which is now Transocean. In 2019 Kris authored the book “Commit to Safe and Efficient Operations” published by PennWell. This book outlines a clear roadmap for bringing many cultures together and simplifying the safety tools that are used day in and out.
Kris holds dual Bachelor of Science degrees from Belhaven University, Jackson Mississippi, in Accounting and in Business Administration. He is passionate about creating a performance culture where safety and efficiency go hand in hand. He currently divides his time between Lafayette, Louisiana, Tampa, Florida, and Houston, Texas, and has four grown sons: Braxton, Taylor, Joshua, and Noah.
