Page 106 - Just Promoted A 12 Month Road Map for Success in Your New Leadership Role

Selecting, Building, and Developing Your Work Team 91

Scenario B
Phyllis has been appointed dean of a college, one of five deans at a large, pri-
vate university. Selected from within, she was just about everyone’s obvious
choice—she had an excellent intellectual and research record, was a fine
administrator, and was well liked and respected. Her peers considered her a
“safe choice.” Phyllis’s major dilemma is that she is not confident that the exist-
ing department heads can lead the college in achieving her vision for it. She
has been a long-time friend and a close colleague of the tenured staff, which
now reports to her. While professional and social ties are close, she realizes
that about half the tenured faculty has become stagnant and overly comfort-
able. She faces many of the predictable problems of those selected to move up
from among their professional peers. In a rather conservative and traditional
environment, Phyllis has a different vision for the college than those with
whom she has worked for many years.

■ How would you handle this situation if you were Phyllis?
■ What are some of her alternatives and likely consequences of these
potential choices?
■ What time frame would you establish for progress in achieving her vision?

Scenario C
Ron is a true entrepreneur. At 32, he is well-to-do, confident, and experienced,
and he is about to start his own company. He has identified a niche in the com-
munications industry and is preparing to exploit it commercially. Ron’s
strengths are accounting and marketing. He needs help in new product devel-
opment, sales, and in day-to-day operations. His plan is to form a new com-
pany within 12 months. Financial backing exists; he has many contacts in the
financial and marketing community. Ron is unsure how to proceed in select-
ing his top management team.

■ What should Ron be thinking about?
■ What type of expertise should he be seeking? What criteria should he
establish for making his selections?
■ What type of help is available to him in making these important choices?

Scenario D

Len has just been appointed CEO of a medium-sized health-care company.
The company’s sales and profits have waned over a five-year period. There are