Page 281 - Just Promoted A 12 Month Road Map for Success in Your New Leadership Role

266 Just Promoted!

Think about the Doyles and the Sterlings as families of individuals. What
was most important to them? In Doyles’ case, in what ways were their most
important values compromised by Bob’s job change? What preventive steps
could they have taken to minimize the negatives? Job changes are times for
heightened family communication and for creatively addressing opportuni-
ties and problems. The key is to know what should and shouldn’t be changed
and how to compensate effectively when compromises are unavoidable.
The Sterling family consciously planned how they would ease the transition
for Linda, Doug, and the children. They purchased additional services (house-
cleaning, cooking, and babysitting) so that the family felt supported while Linda
was away from the house until they relocated. They also planned a series of activ-
ities to learn about the opportunities and recreational resources in their new
community. They did this together over many weekends for several months until
they made new connections. It is wise to continue certain rituals and customs
that have great meaning to your marriage and family, such as these:

■ Playing and reading with young children at their usual times.
■ Arranging special “alone time” with children and spouse.
■ Making arrangements for frequent reunions with friends
and family.
■ Structuring time to ensure that cherished activities are maintained.
Whether it is religious worship, working on a car, bowling, aerobics,
playing tennis or golf, or volunteer community service, schedule
what is of value to you and do it.
■ As parents and partners, ensure that you preserve your own rituals
and time together.

2. Realize that you have a finite amount of time and energy. Heighten your
awareness about how you use your time and energy. Engineer your time. Take
charge of your time and energy by taking care of real priorities, not simple
urgencies. You can’t do everything you are asked to do. Protect your real pri-
orities, and learn to say no to the rest.
If you need help with managing your time better, talk with people who
seem to use their time well. Get at least one new idea per week. Read books
and articles written on this subject, and adopt a few of these ideas to your sit-
uation. Never accept that you have no alternatives. A group of friends can help
each other generate ideas and alternatives to their problems when they seem