Page 225 - Just Promoted A 12 Month Road Map for Success in Your New Leadership Role

210 Just Promoted!

beginning, Linda invited successful ideas and realized the importance of
recognizing people for their contributions.
■ A small task force was formed to submit recommendations within two
months on training, sharing of best practices, and meeting the commu-
nication needs in the region.
■ Several other employees were asked to work on ideas that would
improve the system for measuring and rewarding performance on a
semiannual basis.
■ Linda volunteered her region for a pilot evaluation sponsored by the
corporation for the use of a new Web 2.0 social learning system that also
included professional access to LinkedIn within the company. In doing
so, she enhanced her image as an advocate and innovator for the region,
getting her region new resources and recognition.

Today Linda has turned her region around. Sales are up. Her region has
gone from sixth to second in performance within 18 months, and morale is
up, as is productivity. People want to work for her.
In the process of renewing the organization, several employees were ter-
minated, including two district managers. Linda’s “velvet hammer” was
respected because she had set high standards, listened, and acted collabora-
tively with her organization. Only the underperformers feared her. Linda’s
stock continues to rise in the corporation, where she is seen as firm, fair, and
dynamic and as a supportive and highly effective leader.

LEARNING FROM FAILED ORGANIZATIONAL EFFORTS

For every success in renewing an organization, there are failures. While many
elements are needed for success, to fail on just one or two key issues can under-
mine you.
Even a well-planned, thorough effort can fail. Lauren, with the support of
a seasoned consultant, planned a comprehensive diagnosis that identified
some obvious and some camouflaged problems. Her staff expended consid-
erable time and effort in problem analysis, decision making, and action plan-
ning. The process was generally well designed and executed.
However, one problem was not addressed. Lauren was reluctant to con-
front her two most strident resistors. She was unable to resolve problems
caused by their vested interests. Neither Lauren nor her supporters were will-