Disruptive but Valuable Leader Turnaround

Bob gets a grace period!

Once one of the Most Valuable Leaders on Startup... Now they want him fixed or gone!

I was called in to “fix” a dysfunctional leader of a national $8b company. “Either he gets with the program or he’s gone!” Was my rallying cry! 

So I met with Bob, Sr. VP, who was a hard charging, out-of-the-box thinker, advisor to the Board of Directors and personal financial-legal personal advisor to the owners of the literally skyrocketing National REIT.  

He was beyond outraged with what the company had become. Stodgy, bureaucratic, political, knit picking, HR dominated, “cluster f___.”

“The things I’ve done for the company and owners and their families. Now I can’t breath without saying “may I.” 

“I’m in a room filled of executives and underlings, dancing around a sticky issue. Finally I had had it, went to the board and wrote the solution, told them this meeting was a waste of time, and walked out! I’m not going to put up with this “sh_t! I’ve got things to do!” 

“So I get sent to HR for instructions on how to be more sensitive! What Bull-sh_t ! “ 

I asked Bob about the sports pictures on his wall, all competitive solo sports. “I’m competitive about everything I do! Relaxing golf is for the wimps; I do speed golf!” 

I listened to his many harrowing stories about sports, getting the Board out of a tax challenge, saving the owners hundreds of thousands of dollars, and near bizarre antics setting up a golf tournament with the lawyers at his legal tax association, borrowing golf clubs and shoes... “uncouth,” said his boss the prudent, thoughtful, measured Exec who rose to Corporate Operations head and liaison to the Board! 

Bob set the Board Agenda and went over his bosses head to help the Board without briefing his boss who was always caught off guard. But the Board Trusted Bob and he saw no benefit spending time to brief the boss.

“OK, I said, “here’s the deal!You’re a Race Horse and they want to see if you’re willing and able to pull a milk wagon!” 

“I can do anything I put my mind to” barking boastfully and telling more stories, all believable.

“OK, do you want to stay and prove you can pull a milk wagon? Or do you want out?” 

“I want to prove them wrong and then decide!” 

“Fare enough. I believe you. You can win back their confidence in two weeks which will buy you a grace period in which to make your decision on your own terms.” 

“But you have to do whatever I tell you to do, no matter how noxious it may seem!” 

Bob was all in, if nothing but rising to a challenge! I believed him. He was and still is very bright, intuitive, decisive, typically right and very successful economically and professionally. 

“OK, first get rid of a few wall mounted photos and replace them with team sports competitions. 

Then take this book on leadership (it may have been Drucker or maybe Servant Leadership, ear mark a page and leave it on your desk in a prominent place.”

Then the toughest instruction, “go apologize to Mary, the HR VP and tell her how you’ve seen the light!” 

That one took a few minutes to sink in.

“She’s an idiot!” said Bob. “Perhaps,” I said, “but this idiot is making your life hell. Your boss listens to her!” 

“OK,” Bob agreed. “I’ll do it.” 

Next … 

“Stop by your bosses office at odd times and just say hi, report some news and ask what’s up!” 

No problem w that. 

“Sit through all your normal meetings with no abrupt interruptions and get your point across by asking questions, if at all.” 

“Start there! And see what happens, if anything.” 

“Then let’s talk in a week or two.” 

Within 2 weeks Bob was receiving high praise and I was touted as a miracle worker. “What did you do w Bob?” they all asked. 

“We’ll, he’s a smart guy and I think he’s sincere about trying to adapt to the new culture.” 

I wanted it to be Bob’s success, not my miracle worker talent. It’s Bob’s world, not mine. 

So, is Bob cured? What are you kidding?

This is just step one, getting breathing room, good-will points if you will. 

Step II 

In Bob’s private office. 

Bob was mesmerized by the results; I’ve seen it a hundred times. 

“Now... ready? Where are the sports pictures? You gotta get them up! “

“And, come on Bob. Move the leadership book around, and advance the ear marked pages. And read a few things while you’re at it just in case someone asks you what it’s about.” 

Really? I wanted him to read a bit on modern management without insulting him.

I reminded him, “you’ve only bought time to decide if you want to pull a milk wagon.” 

Next.. Part III