{"id":330,"date":"2008-05-12T14:15:39","date_gmt":"2008-05-12T18:15:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.officepolitics.com\/advice\/?p=330"},"modified":"2008-05-12T14:15:39","modified_gmt":"2008-05-12T18:15:39","slug":"lost-a-highly-intelligent-motivated-executive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.officepolitics.com\/advice\/lost-a-highly-intelligent-motivated-executive\/","title":{"rendered":"Lost a highly intelligent, motivated executive"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Text<\/p>\n

Dear Office-Politics,<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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 \u2013 they treat me very well, it\u2019s a decent place to work, but the work itself is rapidly becoming unfulfilling.)<\/p>\n

Or, do you have any advice on how to stick it out and keep driving change and innovation?<\/p>\n

Sincerely,<\/p>\n

Down and almost out<\/em><\/p>\n

P.S.: GREAT content on this site \u2013 I visit often. Keep it up!<\/p>\n

OFFICE-POLITICS REPLY BY FRANKE JAMES<\/strong>
\n\"franke<\/p>\n

Dear Down and almost out,<\/p>\n

What a timely dilemma! Innovation versus so-called \u2018Job security\u2019. However since you\u2019re stuck in the middle of it, you may not feel quite as enthusiastic.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a look at the end of your letter to figure out a path forward:<\/p>\n

\u201cBottom line \u2013 they treat me very well, it\u2019s 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?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

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<\/em>) will you have that secure job for long? (Look at GM versus Toyota.)<\/p>\n

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 \u2018unfulfilling\u2019 would suck the life energy out of me. I can\u2019t 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…<\/p>\n

Are you the best person to drive change and innovation at your company? You may shake your head and say, \u201cNo. Big strategic decisions come from the top.\u201d And while there is truth to that, anyone in the organization can be instrumental in making change happen.<\/p>\n

I have a few ideas on how you can plant some seeds of change…<\/strong><\/p>\n

First off, to drive change and innovation you need to be well informed and ask yourself some smart questions. <\/p>\n

What\u2019s coming down the pipe?<\/strong> 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 \u2018workshops of the world\u2019 impact your business? Does the US Government\u2019s 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\u2019s \u2018Achilles heel\u2019 that everyone knows, but no one wants to talk about?<\/p>\n

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\u2019m sure you\u2019ll think of lots more. To jumpstart the thinking process I\u2019d recommend reading a few books on innovation and world trends.<\/p>\n

The World Is Flat 3.0: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century<\/a>\"\"<\/a> by Thomas L. Friedman. 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\u2019s a short snippet on the pressing need for change from the first edition:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n

Also take a look at Ready, Set, Done: How to Innovate When Faster is the New Fast<\/a>\"\"<\/a> by Jim Carroll. Jim is a futurist<\/a>, innovation and business trends expert who identifies international trends that could blindside your company. Jim could be talking to you when he says, \u201cFrom my perspective, too many people and organizations have lost their momentum; they\u2019re stuck in a rut, spinning their wheels. They are ill-equipped to cope with change, and don\u2019t have the mindset to fuel future innovation.\u201d<\/p>\n

So, let\u2019s imagine that you\u2019ve read these books. You\u2019re all psyched up and you\u2019ve got some \u2018bright ideas\u2019 or at least some concerns about a major trend. You know what you\u2019d like the company to do but you don\u2019t have the power to make the changes. Now what?<\/p>\n

Actively but gently spread some of your ideas throughout the company. Tell coworkers about the books you\u2019re 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. (If you want to introduce innovative ideas I suggest reading Dr. Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats<\/a>\"\"<\/a>. It can give you tips on how to introduce ideas without them getting squashed by the naysayers. And also teach you the power of getting everyone in the room thinking in the same direction.)<\/p>\n

I would also recommend bringing in a selection of the sharpest business book authors for company \u2018pep\u2019 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!<\/p>\n

Good luck. Thanks for writing to Office-Politics.<\/p>\n

Franke<\/p>\n

Franke James, MFA
\nEditor & Founder, Office-Politics.com
\nInventor, The Office-Politics\u00ae Game<\/a><\/p>\n

_________________________________________________________<\/p>\n

Franke James, MFA is the Editor & Founder of Office-Politics.com. She is also the Inventor of The Office-Politics\u00ae Game<\/a> a dilemma-based social game that teaches you how to play, and laugh, at office politics. It\u2019s used by HR departments, and corporate trainers worldwide. The Office-Politics Dilemmas have been inspired by the hundreds of letters submitted to Office-Politics.com.<\/em><\/p>\n

Publication note: This letter was originally published in 2005 — however book references have been updated to 2008. We are republishing the best letters from Office-Politics and integrating them with our blog format.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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