Unexpected Consequences

One of the benefits of an offsite planning meeting is that you get to see all of your company’s talent (or lack there of) in the same room. Facilitated properly, no one can hide and as such, your real players will rise to the top while the posers get totally exposed.

During one recent offsite, when getting down to the real nuts and bolts of the plan, it became obvious that the recently hired Director of Operations was struggling. Where we needed concrete details, he spouted theory. Where we needed real life experience, he quoted from a business book.

The farther it went along the more the body language of the room changed when he began to speak. When launching into one of his shallow, long winded answers everyone shut him out by either doodling or getting a cup of coffee.

At the end of the day, the CEO walked up to me and asked a question that really wasn’t a question. “He’s (the D.O.) not going to make it is he?” To which I replied, “Nope.” He then asked what he should do and I responded, “Follow your gut instinct and if it’s telling you that he needs to go, then the question isn’t if, it’s when.” He nodded his head and walked off.

They replaced the Director of Operations a month later and based on the needs outlined during the offsite meeting, found the right person for the job and haven’t stopped growing since.

So, remember, a successful plan is simply about the work to be done and who best fits the role. Mismatch those two and you’re doomed to either mediocrity or failure.

Ride On...