The New Leader’s Journal: Personnel Issues

Ellen continues to be a problem.  She’s blocking my communication with her team and exhibiting passive-aggressive behavior.  She’s also never come to me to say she’s enjoying working with me, which isn’tthat significant on its own, but it would at least be a sign that she’s buying in to what we’re doing. Clearly, that’s not the case, and I think I’m going to have to move her off the team.

Separately, Faith and her team completed our initial consumer research last week – on time!  That will feed into our investment marketing plans as well as everything we do on a day to day basis.  Progress!

Reflections

This is data that’s going to feed into next week’s role sort – figuring out who’s in the right role and who’s in the wrong one. The New Leader’s 100-Day Action Plan is front loaded.  But we still have to do a role sort.  Made less progress this week – but that’s okay.

The #1 thing experienced leaders regret is not moving faster on their people.  I have no intention of doing anything too drastic too fast.  But I know I need a plan on this so I can start implementing it over time.  (With the possible exception of Ellen.  I won’t let her hurt the team.)


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 order a copy.

Read More Articles

The Benefit of Front Foot Executive Onboarding

Don’t lay back. Some executives let someone else manage their onboarding into a new role. This increases their chances of falling into the 40% of new leaders that get fired,…

Read Article
Nvidia logo with a black background
What Colette Kress Must Do As Nvidia’s Interim CEO

Nvidia's board has named CFO Colette Kress interim CEO following Jensen Huang's resignation, effective immediately. She keeps the CFO job too. The board is searching for a permanent CEO, inside…

Read Article
Professionals shaking hands in a bright office during a meeting, symbolizing partnership.
Your First 100 Days Are a Trust Test. Here’s How to Pass It

Executives rarely start new roles with real trust. Before day one, most organizations hold new leaders at arm’s‑length, relying on resumes, references, and search‑firm vetting instead of firsthand experience. The…

Read Article
Alt text (100 characters): Speedboat cutting across deep blue water, leaving white wakes behind in an aerial ocean view.
One Measure Of The Strength Of A Leader Is The Debris They Leave In Their Wake

Every leader leaves a wake. Most spend their time looking at where they’re going. The better question is what they’re leaving behind. Self-centered leaders move up. They hit their numbers,…

Read Article
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