Simon T Bailey’s Blog

A few weeks ago a dear friend of mine called in somewhat of a panic to say that her company had just been acquired by another one, and that the operational team of the new parent company would be evaluating the entire team. Within 90 days they would decide who would stay and who would receive the left foot in the rear end out the door. Now put yourself in that person’s place…either you can stay and rise to the occasion or you can join the pessimists and whiners who predict the end of the world as they see it.

I suggested to my friend that she show up early, smile, put on her best clothes, always raise her hand to answer any questions and be willing to pitch in and work any late hours. Is this brown-nosing? No, it’s called “loverage!” This means, “I love my brilliant opportunity (new name for job) so much that I am willing to leverage my knowledge, skills, and brand passion to win a permanent spot on the team.” There are times when you simply have to prove yourself all over again.

Wherever you are right now in life – employed, unemployed, underemployed, happy or bored – decide now to look at everything in your life as a brilliant opportunity. An organization’s stock in you rises or falls as you respond to challenging circumstances and character-building moments. Winston Churchill said, “To every person there comes that special moment when he is tapped on the shoulder to do a very special thing unique to him. What a tragedy if that moment finds him unprepared for the work (opportunity) that would be his finest hour.” You are not working a job, you are leveraging a brilliant opportunity.

-Simon T Bailey

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I was talking with an executive the other day and we got into a discussion about the crisis of the stock market, subprime mortgage industry, and real estate industry. One of the comments he made was that leaders are inserting themselves into more meetings to protect their turf and to ensure their name doesn’t magically appear on the workforce reduction list.

There are some leaders so worried about their jobs that they launch an “I need to save my job” campaign and insert themselves into meetings to gain visibility. They are convinced that if the right people see them their neck will be saved. Suddenly, they are asking their team members to do a ton of reports to justify their existence. Furthermore, they are creating projects to justify that their area is super busy. You know the drill…everyone is drinking water out of fire hoses.

And of course, inquiring minds want to know where’s the brilliance? Here’s the deal – when you are competent, confident, connected, and committed, you don’t have to insert yourself. Why? Because you are like a cheetah that is flexible and nimble in the midst of change. Insertion only becomes necessary in a culture where political gamesmanship is the order of the day. Nevertheless, remember that according to the book of wisdom, the race is not given to the swift or to the strong but to the one that endures until the end. Could that be you?

-Simon T Bailey

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