A Matter of Honor

When people find out I am a veteran, the questions come, I deflect, and people don't understand. So, let me explain.

My introduction to the military was as a freshman in college watching ROTC cadets rappel off the science center. It looked like fun so I joined ROTC. One thing lead to another and, with Bachelors degree in hand, I was commissioned and on active duty soon after graduation.

Active duty. I saw this as a 3 year opportunity to see the world and advance my education. Add in the fact that I'd get a paycheck and it was a mighty good deal for a college kid with some debt and a Biology degree. 

For me, this was a job - a temporary gig.

It wasn't long before I realized that for others, this was so much more.

This was their life and, even as my 3 years turned into 10, I knew in my heart it wasn't ever going to be mine. 

I was single, on my own and with no particular place to be. I didn't give up anything (other than a social life) yet there were sacrifices being made all around me. From the supply sergeant's wife who threw herself into Girl Scouts so she and the girls had something to carry them through the absences, the drill sergeant (psycho-like to new recruits) who kept his daughter's teddy bear in his desk drawer, and the commander who, missing most of her children's birthdays, vowed not ever miss those of her grandchildren - tough heart-wrenching choices were made everyday. 

There was sacrifice but there was not sadness. There was honor and there was inspiration. People question how a mother could leave her children to deploy yet I understand. It's not a black and white "you have to because it's your job," but a deep inner understanding of being part of something bigger than yourself.

And I got to be a part of that. Yes, I served but it's more than that. In between training, leading, commanding and teaching, I honored the commitment, the sacrifice and the honor of the American soldier and of the military family. 

Connect with a soldier or a military family today.

  Photo credit iStockphoto

Succession Planning. Fascinating.

Fascinating.

If I had one word to describe the final day of  The Conference Board Succession Management Conference, that would be it - fascinating. CEO succession, technology of Talent Management, the "neuro" of leadership - wow!

Focusing on succession planning for the top position, Michael J. Critelli, former CEO of Pitney Bowes, reminded us being in the "continuous fish bowl" of CEO requires a unique set of skills and guided us through factors to consider when evaluating candidates for this top position. 

In his matter-of-fact, down to earth way, he shared his criteria for conducting an executive evaluation, (base on capabilities and not credentials, look at full range of experiences inside and outside the workplace, gather 360 feedback) and the need for senior executive competence in risk management. Senior executives of today must know how to identify, plan for, mitigate and disclose risk (yes, disclose) to the Board of Directors.

There's a fine line between confidence and arrogance and no imperial figures allowed when Michael is around.

  

Ever wonder "What Does the Brain Have to Say About Engaging Our Top Talent?" Honestly, I had not. After 60 minutes with David Rock, Co-Founder of the NeuroLeadership Institute, my answer now would be - more than I had imagined.  

It all comes down to this, David presented, the brain has one organizing principle - minimize threat and maximize reward - and we respond to everything (yes, everything) through that one principle. Feedback, performance reviews, walking into a conference session, meeting someone for the first time . . . same principle.

The brain is not only "organizing," it is social (who knew!)  responds within 5 social domains.  Now, as you read this very brief summary of the 5 social domains, think about - as we did in the session - what this means for your sucession management program.   

1. Status. In this domain, the brain decides who is better and reacts to status threats as if life is in danger. Feedback can be perceived as a threat (surprise!).
2. Certainty. The brain is a prediction machine and uncertainty is treated like pain by the brain.
3. Autonomy. The brain likes to be able to predict and have a say in the future.
4. Relatedness. In this domain, the brain is evaluating friend or foe, trust or distrust, and connect or don't connect. Foe is the default.
5. Fairness. In this domain, the brain decides if an action is fair - or not.

David did not leave us with the answer to a perfect succession management program but offered these social domains as something to consider as a succession management program is being developed or evaluated.

Think about high potentials competing for positions vs. camaraderie, balancing transparency with status, degree of self-directed vs. prescribed processes, scenarios vs. commitments and above all, the people involved. Note: The findings from the Center for Creative Leadership study, High-Potential Talent, A View From Inside the Leadership Pipeline  (presented yesterday) are linked here.

Wrapping up the day, we had the pleasure of hearing from 3 companies (FedEx, Turner Broadcasting System and Clearwater Paper Corporation) who are using SaaS to promote an integrated talent and Succession Management System Strategy.

I came into this program facing a Succession Management elephant not knowing where to take the first bite. I leave with ideas and, above all, action steps I can take to start discussions with others within my organization.

The Conference Board staff did it again - another first class, first rate conference from beginning to end.

Note: I attended this conference as a guest of The Conference Board to provide my honest assessment of the conference and share information I deemed relevant, valuable and of interest to my readers.