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Franke James is Editor/Founder of Office-Politics.com and Inventor of the Office-Politics® Game. Peter R. Garber has worked as an HR professional for over 25 years and is the author of many business books including: Winning the Rat Race at Work and 100 Ways to Get on the Wrong Side of your Boss. Dina Beach Lynch, is an Ombudsman, Author and former attorney. An award-winning mediator, Dina served as the Corporate Ombudsman for the 7th largest bank in the US helping over 48,000 employees to resolve workplace issues. Dr. Rick Brandon is CEO of Brandon Partners. He has consulted and trained tens of thousands at corporations worldwide, including Fortune 500 companies across a variety of industries. Dr. Marty Seldman is one of America's most experienced executive coaches. His 35-year career includes expertise in executive coaching, group dynamics, cross-cultural studies, clinical psychology, and training. Arnie Herz, is a lawyer, mediator, speaker, author and consultant nationally recognized for his practical and inspired approach to conflict resolution and client counseling. Dr. John Burton LL.B. M.B.A. M.Div. Ph.D. is an ethicist, mediator, lawyer and theologian. John is currently located in Prince Rupert, B.C., Canada, working with Canada's aboriginal communities. |
We recently lost a highly intelligent, highly motivated executive to another firm... Almost overnight, there seems to be little or no drive to move forward on a number of key initiatives she started... July 2005 Dear Office-Politics, We recently lost a highly intelligent, highly motivated executive to another firm. During her time she generated a lot of ideas and initiatives for helping the organization develop and expand. However, her style was in direct conflict with the rest of the executive team who are much more conservative (almost passive), eager to maintain the status quo and definitely do not like to 'rock the boat'. Her frustration with the difficulty in getting things done was a key reason for her leaving the company. Since her departure, the organization has taken a step back to determine the best course of action for the future. Almost overnight, there seems to be little or no drive to move forward on a number of key initiatives she started. This is frustrating to the few people in the company who adopted her approach and shared her desire to improve. This group is definitely a minority in the organization and is starting to feel hopeless and demoralized. Is it time to come to grips with the fact that the broader organization is unwilling to change and start seeking other employment? (This is a tough choice because the pay and benefits are great and I have lots of freedom and flexibility in my work. Bottom line – they treat me very well, it’s a decent place to work, but the work itself is rapidly becoming unfulfilling.) Or, do you have any advice on how to stick it out and keep driving change and innovation? Sincerely, P.S.: GREAT content on this site – I visit often. Keep it up! Dear Down
and almost out, Let’s take a look at the end of your letter to figure out a path forward: “Bottom line – they treat me very well, it’s a decent place to work, but the work itself is rapidly becoming unfulfilling.) Or, do you have any advice on how to stick it out and keep driving change and innovation?” Job security is important in your happiness. A secure job pays the bills, and that means less friction in your life. But if your competitors are about to eat your lunch (due to lack of innovation) will you have that secure job for long? (Look at GM versus Toyota. GM may be knocked out of the top spot by Toyota. But they are fighting back -- GM plans massive investment in China.) Your letter takes a big picture view. You speak less of your own situation than you do of the well-being of your company. I believe that earning money has to be balanced by the emotional price. Doing work that is ‘unfulfilling’ would suck the life energy out of me. I can’t imagine staying unless I had a clear vision that things were going to improve. Am I saying that you should immediately look around for another job? No. Your last line indicates that you have the spirit and determination to make change happen at your company. So this could be a big opportunity for you... Are you the best person to drive change and innovation at your company? You may shake your head and say, “No. Big strategic decisions come from the top.” And while there is truth to that, anyone in the organization can be instrumental in making change happen. I have a few ideas on how you can plant some seeds of change... First off, to drive change and innovation you need to be well informed and ask yourself some smart questions. What’s coming down the pipe? What global forces could adversely affect your industry? Are your competitors outsourcing low-level tasks and thus producing their product more cheaply? Does the rise of China and India as the low-cost ‘workshops of the world’ impact your business? Does the US Government’s focus on Homeland Security present a threat or an opportunity for you? Are your competitors adapting new technologies -- and thus speeding up the sales cycle -- quicker than your company? What is your company’s ‘Achilles heel’ that everyone knows, but no one wants to talk about? Those are just a few questions that could result in some critical changes in how your Company operates their business in the next 5 years. I’m sure you’ll think of lots more. To jump start the thinking process I’d recommend reading a few books on innovation and world trends. I’m currently reading 'The World is Flat’ by Thomas L. Friedman. [http://www.thomaslfriedman.com/worldisflat.htm] It is excellent. It will tell you things you may already have sensed (and worried abstractly about) but then puts the trend into perspective. Here’s a short snippet on the pressing need for change: “The experiences of the high-tech companies... who failed to navigate the rapid changes brought about in their marketplace... may be a warning to all the businesses, institutions, and nation-states that are now facing these inevitable, even predictable changes but lack the leadership, flexibility and imagination to adapt -- not because they are not smart or aware, but because the speed of change is simply overwhelming them.” [Excerpt: The World is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman] Also take a look at “What I Learned from Frogs in Texas: Saving Your Skin with Forward-Thinking Innovation” by Jim Carroll. [http://www.frogsintexas.com/] Jim is a futurist, innovation and business trends expert. His book is an entertaining and informative read on the international trends that could blind-side your company. (Disclosure: I designed the Frogs in Texas book cover and wrote the 'Saving Your Skin' subtitle.) Jim could be talking to you when he says, “From my perspective, too many people and organizations have lost their momentum; they’re stuck in a rut, spinning their wheels. They are ill-equipped to cope with change, and don’t have the mindset to fuel future innovation.” So, let’s imagine that you’ve read these books. You’re all psyched up and you’ve got some ‘bright ideas’ or at least some concerns about a major trend. You know what you’d like the company to do but you don’t have the power to make the changes. Now what? Actively but gently spread some of your ideas throughout the company. Tell coworkers about the books you’re reading and some of the questions they are provoking. Management meetings might be an ideal time to raise some of the issues or concerns. Ideally you want other people to start thinking, and mulling and chatting about these same questions -- and coming up with their own ideas. I would also recommend bringing in a selection of the sharpest business book authors for company ‘pep’ talks, and strategy sessions. That could change the direction of your company. Or make it crystal clear why they will never change, and why you have to! Good luck. Thanks for writing to Office-Politics. Franke Franke James, MFA Feedback from Down
and almost out Once again, excellent site. Keep up the good work.
The Ethics Letters that appears as a feature of this Website is an educational and discussion oriented column designed to help the reader better understand ethical issues. The matters discussed in the letter are reviewed in a summary/abbreviated way and are only meant to foster thinking on the part of the reader. If a person decides to adopt or implement suggestions, they do so at their own risk. No representation or warranty is provided in relation to suggestions or the contents of the letter. Neither the authors of the letter, Franke James, John W. Burton, or the owners of this Website accept any liability whatsoever for any opinions expressed in the letter or for errors and omissions. Submission of letters to the Office-Politics Forum grants the Publisher, Nerdheaven Ltd. the right to reproduce, republish, repurpose and excerpt the submission in any and all other media, without compensation or contacting the author. Copyright Nerdheaven Ltd. 2002-2005
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