The New Leader’s Journal: Step Down Meetings

First full week marked by a series of meetings with:

–       David’s team

–       Ellen’s team

–       Faith’s team

 

The differences between the various teams were striking. Let me elaborate:

David’s team is leading from the front foot.  They’re pushing and trying new things.  It was refreshing and fun, if a little undisciplined.  But I can help direct that passion.

Ellen’s team members were reluctant to express their opinions, looking to Ellen for approval before saying anything.  The meeting didn’t feel good at all.

Faith’s team are mechanics.  They can implement things on the media side.  But it doesn’t seem like anyone has asked them to think.

 

Scheduled my imperative workshop for two weeks out.  Didn’t want to do it too soon; but do want to get in place before the end of my first month.  (The book says that’s important.)

 

Reflections

This week is really a continuation of making first and early impressions in my early days.  I’m listening.  I’m trying to do that with an open mind and trying not to judge too early. Have not even tried to impact anyone else yet.  That will come later .  On the other hand, I know I’m being judged and am doing my absolute best not to cause any lasting damage by saying anything too stupid early on.


The New Leader’s Journal is a fictional exercise illustrating the prescriptions and tools in the 3rd edition of The New Leader’s 100-Day Action Plan.  Click here to request an executive summary of the book.  Click here to pre-order/order a copy.

Read More Articles

Book cover titled A Heartbeat Away with a red heartbeat line on a dark background from Dr. Ron Bogart.
Build Nested Leadership That Works Without You

What happens to the organization when you’re not in it?  That question drives Ron Bogart’s leadership fable, A Heartbeat Away: How Strong Organizations Outlast Strong Personalities. One character wakes from…

Read Article
Professional reviewing charts and financial reports at a meeting table, writing notes on documents with graphs, data visuals, and sticky notes.
A Good Acquisition Story Is Not a Plan.

When Wolf-Gordon announced it was buying Andor Willow and Look Walls and Interiors, the logic behind the acquisition was easy to read. The private equity owner, Charger Investment Partners, wants…

Read Article
Three Leadership Questions to Answer Before Green-lighting a Project

Many tactical projects fail before they start because leaders green-light the wrong things for the wrong reasons. Before you say “yes,” to a project, you and your team should answer…

Read Article
Two martial man engaging in a judo combat
Deploying Judo Strategy To Throw A Stronger Business Competitor

In judo, you do not try to overpower a stronger opponent. You accept their strength, side-step their thrust, and use their weight and momentum to throw them. My earlier article,…

Read Article
A rugged expedition vehicle drives along a long, empty road toward lush mountains under a dramatic sky.
Deliberately Stupid Executive Onboarding

Every executive walking into a new role is, for a while, stupid. Not incapable. Not unqualified. Stupid in the specific, unavoidable sense that they do not yet know what they…

Read Article
A group of executives in a meeting, getting to know each other and working together.
Succeeding Your Own Boss

There's a version of executive onboarding that almost never gets written about, probably because it looks so easy from the outside. Whether it’s the CFO succeeding the CEO, or the…

Read Article