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My first blog shared thoughts related to the concept of being “interim”.  Being in a state of change, transition, or somehow in between.  The topic of facing unexpected change continues to be a common theme in daily headlines and professional journals.  How do we plan for a certain future in such uncertainty?  What should we be doing today that will help us succeed in such turbulent times?

To create conversation and hopefully some action, through my next several blogs I’ll offer seven somewhat tongue-in-cheek rules by which to navigate unprecedented change.  My hope is that presenting these rules in a straightforward approach (perhaps in line with what we might read in some of the professional literature today) and then sharing some of my personal thoughts will spark thinking, conversation, and maybe even a little constructive debate.  Let’s begin with rule number one.

Rule #1 – Whatever it’s about, it’s really all about me.

We’re seeing global empires bankrupt, multi-nationals bought and sold, and entire industries upside down.  A little closer to home we might be experiencing unpaid bills, uncertainty about summer vacation, no college funds for the kids, and some pretty scary headlines on the nightly news.  The rules have changed, and when rules change everyone goes back to zero.  It’s tempting in this scenario to focus first on personal advantage, survival, and a “what’s-in-it-for-me” approach.  Leveraging disruptive change to further a position, status, influence, and personal power seems to be tapping into what real survival is all about.  Or is it?  Does rule number one hold water?

In the early 1990’s I found myself settling into a new marriage and accepting one of my first “C-level” positions.  The position afforded access to a growing network of seasoned professionals.  It was during this time that I found myself early one morning at a local coffee shop.  If I were to be honest, I was there to take – to get all I could as quickly as possible: to “pick the brain” of someone who had achieved and communicated success.  The conversation took a turn I didn’t expect – it started with a simple question.  A question asked at a small corner table over the sound of a steaming cappuccino machine just a few feet away.  “So”, he asked with clear eyes and no smile, “are you a king or a kingmaker?”  He let the question hang in the air and took another drink of coffee.  “Don’t answer with words”, he continued, “…answer with choices and actions.”

I gave no direct response at the time.  I don’t think he expected one.  The question bounced around inside me and is still bouncing around today.  It’s a good question.  The question sets one swimming upstream.  Over time, depending on your answer, you begin to look for things outside yourself.  Things like wealth instead of riches, worth as opposed to the popular notion of success.  Not expediency or fame, but value and legacy.

People all around us are in crises.  Executives are losing trust (some deserved), managers are losing positions, and professionals are losing influence.  Very difficult and real changes are afoot.  Some would say that the professional loss of another is your gain.  In fact, there are even a few who would advocate creating more crises.  Not enough crises or change?  Create some so advantage swings your direction.

What is professional success really about?  Is it really all about me?  True, we can’t give something away that we don’t first possess – our own house needs to be in order.  But what does it mean to be in order?  Think about someone you admire and respect.  Someone you would hold up as an example to your children, grandchildren, or best friend.  Take a moment:  picture this person’s actions and words.  Now let’s be honest.  For the individual you have in mind, are their hard work, discipline, sacrifice, and success really all about them?

I would advocate that serving first brings the greatest reward.  Through experience I’ve also realized that adding value to another brings value to me.  Meeting another’s need often leads to my needs being met.  By giving away gifts of time, energy, resources, and talent – I create more for others and for me. 

In difficult times of change and challenge there are no pat answers.  Maybe, however, there are some foundational principles that could help us make meaning and find order in the topsy-turvy world in which we find ourselves.  Perhaps looking outside ourselves and toward others will help us see a little more clearly and act with just a bit more wisdom.

With these thoughts in mind, in ten words or less, how would you re-write rule number one?  I look forward to the conversation.

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• Being Interim