How A Cynic Almost Killed My Career

What I did differently to thrive

"She’s going to retire next year”

The recruiter cleared his throat and told me tersely.
I looked at the offer letter once more and signed it.
I didn't send it to him right away

Because I wanted to rethink my decision. Give it a day or two.

And see how it felt.

The next day I opened it carefully and read it.
The counter signature name hit me like a ton of bricks.

Therefore, I called the recruiter right away.

“You said I wouldn’t be reporting to her” I rasped.

Silence on the other end of the phone.
Slowly he gathered his voice and muttered

“Yes! Yes! you’re right. There’s been a mistake” he sighed.

In 2 hours, he sent me fresh paperwork.
I read it carefully and heaved a breath.

"This time, its perfect” I whispered to myself as I hit the send button with the electronically signed offer letter attached.

---

New beginnings

I took up a new job in April 2024 as the leader of a large team.

Well funded mid sized company with a good culture. The only fly in the ointment?

I was going to replace a seasoned leader who "was going to retire”.  Let’s call them Pat.

Pat and I would have ample time to work together, build a great relationship and do a warm handover of the business - over the next 6 months.

I was in great spirits and hit the ground running. 

Into Day 4, I got news that Pat resigned.
I wasn’t it expecting it.
Well, not so quickly.

I had 40 business days before I wouldn’t see Pat in the office anymore. 

I have to run this 200+ member department all on my own while reporting to a boss in the US.

But I’ve never handled more than 40 people in my entire 20 years of work experience

My heart raced as I drove home that night. My hands became sweaty at the wheel.

“Can I do it?”
“Will I survive here?”
“What if I fail miserably?”

A 1000 thoughts crossed my mind as I stepped into my apartment. I had a fitful sleep that night. 

Because I’ve never led a 200+ member team before. 

The scale of work and execution.
The breadth and depth of stakeholder relationships
The strategy to keep the lights on and still innovating

Gave me the chills. But one thing kept me going. 

If I failed I'd have learned a lot.
If I won, I’d be on a whole new level.

---

The No Return Strategy

I entered a one way street. There was nothing to lose.

Pat began the dreaded “knowledge transfer” two days later.

A week into it I realized they had very little understanding of the business.

They had fractured relationships
They had little trust with senior management.
They simply said YES to everyone around them

Now it dawned on me why I was bought in. 

Either I prove myself and gun for glory. Or fall down into a heap of ashes.

Each time we met for the knowledge transfer, Pat ended with:

“This is how it works here. You will know it soon”

This CYNICAL nature began killing me a little each day.

I didn’t like those knowledge transfers anymore. Because they didn't help me understand anything at all.

50% into the journey, I made a BOLD decision. I don't need this relationship anymore.

I will tell my boss and do things on my own.

---

The Tipping Point

The next day I spoke in detail with my US boss. He understood and was supportive of my decision. 

That was the breakthrough I was looking for. He introduced me to key stakeholders.

With 19 more days to go, I went into an overdrive with relationship building

Met with 3 key stakeholders and quickly gained their trust
Picked up 3 people from my direct leadership and initiated planning
Updated my boss every 3 days on the progress I was making.

By the third week, I was 60% into the game.

My voice was beginning to be heard in the rooms that mattered.
My peers saw the value I bought to the table.

I simply didn’t involve Pat in any of the decisions I took. 

2 months went by. Pat left.

I survived and kept improving my influence

Built a strong reputation as a senior leader.

---

My Learnings For The Future

Strong relationships matter. Especially when you’re starting in a new place. Build them quickly. Be seen as helpful and wanting to add value. Trust your first impressions.

Understand the culture. Collaborative? Work shoulder to shoulder. Hierarchical? Ask for direction and wait for instructions. Cut throat? Trust your intuition and ask your boss for help

Don’t be afraid to make BOLD moves. Propose a change that benefits the business. Share your observations with your boss. Understand what the REAL issues are. Bring them up in meetings. Plant your flag and claim your ground.

Fortune favours the brave. I’ve learnt lessons in those 6 months more than what I’ve learnt in 15 years of leading teams.

And, I’m continuing to thrive!

So...

Go ahead and take that call.
Schedule that meeting
Sign that offer.

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