In the Field With NeuroLead: Stories of CRM in Action
Over the past few months, NeuroLead, led by CEO Dave Watson, has partnered with several Forwood clients to deliver CRM Bootcamps and Maturity Assessments that go beyond training – they create transformation. What sets these sessions apart is not just the structure or the materials, but the people behind them. Dave and his team, all seasoned leaders with operational experience, bring a grounded, human approach to embedding Critical Risk Management (CRM) where it matters most: in the field.
Bootcamps That Shift Culture, Not Just Knowledge
At the heart of NeuroLead’s Bootcamps is the belief that safety doesn’t improve from the sidelines – it improves through engaged leadership and real conversations about risk. Over six recent Bootcamps at New Gold and Pan American Silver, participants immersed themselves in a five-day journey that blended classroom insights with in-field application.
From Timmins to Jacobina, the NeuroLead team walked side-by-side with frontline leaders and operators, translating CRM principles into practical routines. In Jacobina, Brazil, a multilingual team – including four interpreters – enabled deep connection in Brazilian Portuguese. At New Gold, participants shared that the Bootcamp “will change how you do business” and was the “best training received at New Gold.”
Feedback was unanimous: the sessions were motivating, interactive, and confidence-building. More than 90% of participants across all sites rated the experience as exceptional or excellent.
These aren’t just training scores – they’re indicators of culture shifting in real time.
A Closer Look: CRM Maturity in Kalgoorlie
At Northern Star Resources’ KCGM Operations in Kalgoorlie, NeuroLead recently conducted a three-day CRM Maturity Assessment. The aim wasn’t to audit, but to observe, listen, and learn. The team joined pre-starts, shadowed verifications, and engaged in open conversations with leaders and workers alike – from GMs to contractors.
The result? A clear, actionable roadmap for embedding CRM as a way of working – not just a system. Through this process, NeuroLead helped the site reflect on what’s working, where to go next, and how to measure maturity over time.
Special thanks go to Katie Jackson, whose on-site leadership helped drive focus, collaboration, and trust throughout the visit.
Quiet Strength, Lasting Impact
What makes the NeuroLead team stand out isn’t just their credentials or delivery – it’s their approach. Whether running a Bootcamp or conducting a maturity review, their focus is always on connection: building trust, listening deeply, and making CRM relevant to real work.
Dave Watson summed it up best in a recent reflection: “When people feel safe to speak up, to ask questions, to try something new – that’s when CRM becomes part of the culture. That’s when we know it’s working.”
