New at the Helm

Last week I was at a work conference and there our new MD spoke about what he expected from his newly adopted team. He talked about wanting to win but didn’t do it like he wanted to beat the other guy. He talked about his desire to hit numbers but said it like it was something he does everyday. He asked us to tell him what we thought but asked us to write it on a postcard instead of the oft-ignored email.

I later found out that he was at the bar each of the three nights we were there getting to know members of the team. He finished at 2am each time and doubled-up the next day to start at 8:30. At the final dinner, he continued on his simple way to tell us what he stood for, simply and honestly.

He certainly has earned some respect this week and I can only hope not to let him down.

Safe – for now

So, it was announced a couple of days ago that I’ve held on to my job. In fact, not only have I held on to my job but I’ve been promoted. Yet, I have the same pay and greater responsibility. I guess it’s better than the outside option.

It does mean that I need to learn more about our consumer tracking methodologies and that is scaring me. I now have the freedom to set my own path and without the handrails of a more hands-on manager, there is an element of fear there.

Onward into the great recession!

Great Inspiration

 

Image from The Age

 

Today will be marked as an historic day in politics.

This man is an inspiration and his speech gave me goosebumps.

If we could all find the same level of dedication and belief to become great leaders and to provide inspiration to all those who have lost hope.

Leadership Program: Thoughts Part 1

I was fortunate enough to be nominated to attend an internal leadership development program earlier last week. The goals are fairly obvious and fairly well trodden – understanding what makes for good leadership and to develop my own personal style to adapt and apply to circumstances.

I then recalled a podcast I listened to about leadership and how to become a good one. Listen to it here.

The underlying thought I have to formulate my style is, “Why should great people work with me?”. This frames my entire technique. Gosh, I guess I’m on the path to being somebody.

Changing times

Just when I was getting comfortable on the new role, my manager has a quiet chat with me. During a recent overseas trip back home, he had put an offer on a house. This was quickly accepted by the seller and his plans to return to his native land are now accelerated.

So, my short stint with him is all I get. It’s such a pity – I have enormous respect for him and working with him was a big factor in my move. Such is corporate life.

The Quiz – What’s a CLM?

Here’s an example of the leadership in my company and how frustrating and morale sapping it is.

During lunch hour our team used to do the quiz from the local paper. Fifteen questions and each participant wrote their answers on whatever scrap or Post-it they could find. Once the answers were read out, everyone self-scored, honesty system applied. Trivia was a lot of fun for the group and it helped bond us.

The quiz became quite popular and we soon had people in adjoining pods playing. Sometimes when we missed lunch we ran through the quiz at the witching hour of 3pm, when batteries needed charging.

Somehow our fun got noticed and I got tapped on the shoulder by my manager, “Psst. You’d better stop doing the trivia. The Marketing Director saw you all and isn’t pleased.”

Two things annoyed me here: (1) It’s only light trivia, taking up 15 minutes at most and it’s not like we don’t do our work; and (2) why did the Director have to speak to my manager instead of either joining in or telling me directly?

Was this the day when my career path and high potential status were permanently blotted? Was this a Career Limiting Move?

It All Starts at the Top

 

To me, company leaders are a way of marking the history of an organization. They’re the corporate equivalent of  tree-rings. The survivors bear the scars of everything that has passed and has shaped them into the beings that they are now.

The leaders in my company have had years and years of experience in the industry. As much as this has helped them push the organization onto its high perch, I think that this has bred bad behavior amongst the staff but also shuttered them from anything really new.

I think of it this way, we are social creatures. We imitate those that seem to be doing well for themselves. In my company the mantra is, “As long as the job gets done, I don’t care how you do it.” In such a dog-eat-dog environment with no moral scruples, it’s no wonder that so many people are disenchanted.

I read this article about “infectious leadership” and thought about our guys at the top: 

Link