Page 220 - Executive Warfare

EXECUTIVE W ARF ARE

There are lots of kings and queens getting knocked off chessboards these
days. So beware of pawns who may turn out to be dominating players.

HAVE AN EXIT STRATEGY
It’s crucial not just to get into position within your organization, but also
in the world at large. That’s because a career track that seems perfectly
clear today can change overnight. Some limited shock, such as a new boss
who fails to see your abilities, may block your way forward.
Then there are the true earthquakes,
such as a scandal, a merger, or the col-
lapse of a particular line of business,
I’VE SEEN MANY,
which can turn your organization
MANY PEOPLE IN
upside down—and shake you loose
DETERIORATING
from the chandelier. We are living in a
ORGANIZATIONS
time of tectonic unease, and these catas-
THAT WERE ABOUT
trophes are not as rare as people com-
TO BE SOLD,
fortable in their careers would like to
BUSTED UP, GO
pretend.
BANKRUPT, OR GET
There are usually warning rumbles,
MERGED SIT THERE
and you need to pay attention to them.
AS IF THEY WERE
As I mentioned earlier, in the early
WATCHING A MOVIE
1980s, I was with Commercial Credit, a
INSTEAD OF BEING
commercial and consumer lender and
ONE OF THE
insurer. Rather than investing in the
PRINCIPAL
business, our parent company, Control
ACTORS.
Data, was taking capital out whenever it
needed it in Minneapolis, which was
lowering our bond ratings. Well, excuse me, the handwriting was on the
wall there. It was clear to me that if the parent corporation couldn’t turn
itself around, it was eventually going to sell us. So I began looking for
another job.

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