I’ve negotiated a merger that will ensure the long term viability of the entity I run, but will eliminate my job. Why I would do that is grist for another day.
I haven’t decided what to do next, if anything, but someone approached me with a potential position as CEO of another organization. I told him I didn’t think it was a good match.
“Why not? It’s another CEO position.”
Exactly. Been there, done that, possibly just enough times.
I’ve done my share of public speaking to college students and young business people. When it comes time to discuss their goals, a lot say they want to run something. I wonder how many have given it any thought.
I recall sitting in the sumptuous office of a bank president, high atop a downtown office building. He looked wistfully at the panoramic view. “You know what scares me about this job, Henry. There are a few thousand people out there working for me. They’re happily cranking through their jobs, content and comfortable in the thought that I’m up here and know exactly what to do next to ensure the future viability of this bank and their jobs. Half the time, I have no idea.” I would’ve guessed more than that, but he was the host so I let it go.
It’s like being the parent. Something you thought you’re supposed to aspire to, fun at times, but…. When the kids are playing, blowing off their chores and not giving a thought to the budget or future, it’s all on your head.
That can be a plus. But, it also engenders stuff that I don’t especially enjoy. Do we renew the benefit package or shop it out? Go to a four-day week? Lease or buy the next generation of computers?
Do you really want to be a CEO? Can your read the current and wind down the river and have certainty what to do to navigate successfully through the changing waters? Can you discern possible threats and opportunities, or potential countermoves of your competition? Are you capable of reading the entrails and formulating the perfect plan, and then entrain a multitude of employees whose paramount concern is what they’re going to do Friday night?
If you aren’t up to it, stay where you are. Just surf the web, copy your tax returns and anything else that keeps you out of the way of hindering real progress. There will be a few zealots who will see what’s involved and position themselves for it. They’ll be noticed and considered to captain the ship.
If you can handle and enjoy it, do it. Do it right and few things are more rewarding.
No opening available? Here, take my spot. I don’t think I want to be the parent anymore. I want to do what I enjoy and am good at. Doubt if those things are in the job description, but I haven’t begun to go out and sell that.
Want to be the school bus driver? Fine, have it. When you change your mind, I’ll be at the back of the bus having fun, selling, marketing or whatever doesn’t entail reading twenty pages of a maintenance contract.
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