Page 129 - The Voice of Authority

size our organization. Those affected will be receiv-
ing an e-mail within the next 48 to 72 hours.”

Although we have grown a little more accustomed to the
sound of these comments, they don’t exactly leave us feel-
ing warm and fuzzy.

Connect with People as People
Leaders who show they care about people as individuals—
not as employees, suppliers, or customers—make a con-
nection. Those who don’t not only fail to communicate but
they also lose employees and customers over time.
A career officer tells of his decision to end his 10-year
active duty army career and the rank of captain after a sig-
nificant “mis-connection” with his career management of-
ficer (CMO). At his performance review, the captain dis-
cussed the options for his next career move with his CMO,
who advised him to reenlist and laid out the steps for him
to be promoted to major ahead of his contemporaries. The
very next day following their discussion, the young officer,
out of uniform, happened to pass his CMO walking across
the parking lot. When the captain saluted and the older of-
ficer returned his salute and greeting, it was obvious he
didn’t even recognize the young officer—much less re-
member his name.
That was the moment that the younger officer made the
decision to give up his 10-year career on active duty and
join an organization where he could work for someone
who valued his personal contribution.
How important is that personal connection for leaders?
That captain signed on as a reservist for the next 20 years
and made the rank of colonel, but he never forgot the les-

Are You Concerned and Connected? 117