First Week in the Saddle

Well, I’ve been the “boss” for just over a full week now.  I find the feeling is much different than I expected.  Being in charge of such a large organization is much more natural than I had expected.  It helps tremendously that I have a good, no, great group of immediate subordinates who know their jobs, are committed to the success of the organization and believe that the only way that others are going to be loyal to them is if they demonstrate loyalty as well.  

 

I’ve implemented some changes, but mostly I’ve been trying to adjust attitudes and thought processes.  In places where I’ve found situations and practices that are out of line with my priorities or our organization’s core values I have taken a direct action that I hope gets the point across without any misinterpretation of my intent, but trying very hard to do so without blaming or making the changes appear to be personal affronts.  I know that some feathers will get ruffled, but that is the nature of change – human beings get very used to their ruts.  Having to carve new paths is uncomfortable.  I understand that.  But if we don’t have constant improvement we’ll be going backwards.

 

At the moment I am facing my first issue with a subordinate who has apparently been caught in a serious compromise of professional integrity.  This individual is in a position where he has significant influence over a very important part of the organization – so much so that if I cannot trust his integrity, I’ll have to sack him.  Since this is the first such situation I’ve had to deal with, and the circumstances will unfortunately be flying through the rumor mill very soon, how I deal with this will set a tone for the remainder of my tenure.  I hope there are mitigating circumstances that I will learn about later, but at this moment, given what I do know, I don’t think that’s possible.  My immediate subordinates and assistants hold their integrity high enough that they won’t sugar-coat anything – so I’ll get to the bottom of this soon.  

 

Lessons –

• Right & truth fear no investigation.
• Individual gain at the cost of organizational integrity is a “lose-lose” situation.
• The boss needs to appear organized & in control at all times.  If I look rushed & hurried when I’m walking around the building I give the appearance of disorder and that my demeanor is being dictated by circumstances.  Every organization is a direct reflection of its leadership.  If the boss is in control everyone else will be, too.  The converse is also true.
• Give people your full attention when you give them attention at all.  Don’t go half-way.  I’ve found several times when someone wants to talk to me & I’m in the middle of something else, I’ve said, “Give me a moment so I can give you my full attention.”  I get to a good stopping point and then pay attention.
• When given the choice between paying attention to inanimate objects, such as paperwork and email or people, always choose people.

 

Dirk