Most powerful question leader can ask: ‘How can I help you do your job better’?
John Baldoni – Writer/author
Line workers have been treated like LIFO inventory – Last In – First Out. But executives making millions a year are in the ‘execution’ bucket. Do. Do good. Meet targets. No quarterly numbers. No job.
Not too many years ago, I knew executives, who thought they could homestead a job until retirement. The executives felt they were privileged and entitled. They went to the right schools. They had significant career successes. They had steady promotions throughout their careers. If he/she didn’t make their numbers, no problemo. There was always next quarter.
COVID has disrupted executive rules of work. It became important for this VUCAN to execute – in other words make his or her numbers. The company expected and required adherence to new policies of behavior for executives. Breach me-too behavioral rules – you’re out. Don’t make your numbers – you’re out. Let’s look at Apple as it attempts to disrupt itself. The Wall Street Journal reported that it “is shaking up leadership and reordering priorities across its services, artificial intelligence, hardware, and retail divisions as it works to reduce the company’s reliance on iPhone sales.”[i] What does this mean: “high profile hires, noteworthy departures, meaningful promotions, and consequential restructurings.” [ii] Part of the new normal in COVID time.
What’s interesting is that directors and second level managers are given the mandate to make their objectives or suffer similar consequences as the execs. With increasing VUCA, companies are cutting non-performers. And, this is now cascading? A few years ago, it was the senior executive, who had the cold sweats in the middle of the night wondering if he or she was the next person to be rightsized. Managers are sweating to meet compliance (no subordinate dating), revenue, sales and other performance objectives.
Work Lesson Earned: Ask yourself the following: Do you know what numbers your boss and your boss’s boss have to make? Do you know their plans on making their numbers? How does your boss rate your work to his or her value contribution? What are your numbers? Are you making them?
[i] ‘Apple Shake Up Sets Shift in Strategy’, Wall Street Journal, February 19, 2019.
[ii] ‘Apple Shake Up Sets Shift in Strategy’, Wall Street Journal, February 19, 2019.