Don’t Give Up Your Cape
Most of us see ourselves as the heroes of our own stories. We happily own our successes, but too often blame others for challenges and setbacks. When we rely on others to solve OUR problems, we’ve given up our cape. Then, we’re no longer the hero-we’re the victim.
We can never be the Hero of our stories if we blame others for our problems.
Read this near real-life example.
Cast of Characters:
Carol is the CEO of ABC Corp. She is relatively new and was brought on to raise the next level of investor funding.
Steve is the VP of Sales. He is from the original team and has deep industry relations.
Daisy is a newly hired sales executive to drive revenue growth with Todd.
Steve’s Story:
Steve frowned as he put down the phone. He was still thinking about the call, Darren, the VP of Operations at ABC's largest client was complaining again. Clients like Darren were demanding and Steve felt like he was spending all his time keeping them happy.
A knock on the door interrupted Steve's thoughts. Daisy poked her head in, “Hey, do you have time to talk?”
“No, I have to handle something that just came up. I'll give you a call when I have time,” Steve told Daisy while he was texting Carol.
Darren's complaint couldn't have come at a worse time. The company's board was riding Steve and Carol hard to bring in revenues. They couldn't afford to lose their largest client.
It seemed to Steve that Carol and the board were haphazardly trying anything to bring in revenues. Steve felt like he was constantly explaining the company’s new direction to his clients. Carol wanted sales, but her changes could alienate established clients.
Steve needed to brainstorm with Carol to find a way to satisfy Darren's latest demands.
Daisy knocked again. “Steve, I really need to talk to you.”
“Daisy, I need a few minutes. Please come back in five minutes. I have to catch up with Carol.” Steve saw Daisy retreat and felt like she was being pushy.
Carol had insisted on hiring Daisy and Todd. Yes, they had high energy and tons of experience, but to Steve they seemed impatient and only focused on their commissions. Steve wasn’t sure if they would really fit in with the company.
Daisy’s Story:
Daisy said to her coworker, “Todd, Steve blew me off again. He just doesn't understand. We have to move fast when we get leads.” Daisy sank into her chair.
“I knew something was wrong when we joined. High-growth companies are always hard to work with. This is the old guard vs. the new guard, and Steve must feel threatened by us,” Daisy told Todd.
“At least Carol seems to appreciate our experience and drive.”
“I know there was a big meeting about bringing us in. The older account executive told me, so I guess we know who won the fight,” Todd said.
“Well, I have a meeting set up for later today. This prospect could be a big deal, but we have to make some adjustments to meet their specs,” Daisy continued. "I'm going to keep that meeting whether Steve takes time to talk to me or not."
“Well, you and I have uncovered some opportunities. It just seems like we're not getting the support we need,” Todd said. “I think we should be reporting to Carol, she seems to get it.”
“Steve knows the industry and has relationships with everyone, but he isn't sharing. I think he has something against me,” Daisy added. “We have a quota, and our income depends on these sales. I think we need to ask Carol and maybe the Board to clear the way for us.”
“That's a big step, Daisy. We'll alienate Steve if we do that,” Todd added.
“It is a risk, but I don't see another way forward. We have to take charge and make this happen,” Daisy said.
Carol’s Story:
Carol’s phone buzzed with a text from Steve, requesting another meeting.
Steve had worked for the company for years and Carol respected him, but lately he was coming to her for everything. The company was depending on him to bring in sales. Her job might be at stake if their revenues didn't increase soon. Yet Steve wasn’t leading the charge, if anything he seemed to be holding everything back.
In fact, she had to force him to hire their latest salespeople, Daisy and Todd. Carol met Daisy at a convention and knew she would bring the energy and drive needed to land new clients. And Daisy was their link to Todd.
The company’s compensation structure had to be revised before Daisy and Todd would accept their positions. The compensation structure was another place where she dragged Steve along. It was a big shift from the salary-based structure Steve had devised, now sales worked on commission.
Carol jabbed in Steve's number. “What's going on?” Carol asked.
“We've got a problem,” He said, then added, “We have two problems. Darren just called and he's steamed. I'm afraid that they might pull their business. And Daisy is relentless. All she thinks about is sales and expects me to drop everything when she needs me.”
Carol took a deep breath. “What’s bothering Darren?” She asked.
“He heard that we're signing Acme and he's furious.”
“Are we signing Acme?” Carol asked.
“Only if Daisy has gone rogue again. She's not checking in with me before she prospects and who knows what she's up to. I'm going to have to rein those two in. They're going to do a lot of damage with existing accounts if I don't.” Carol could hear Steve's frustration.
Carol felt like she was dealing with problems all day long. Why couldn't Steve handle his department?
“Steve, what do you want me to do?” She asked.
“I don't know. The board wants us to grow, but things seem to be falling apart. It doesn't feel like we're on the same team anymore.”
Carol agreed, things had changed and she wasn't leading as well as she liked.
If only “they” would change.
Carol, Daisy, and Steve are all trapped. They are relying on others to change instead of solving their own problems. They can’t wear their hero capes until they:
Reframe the problem:
Steve’s reframe: I don’t know how to retain established clients in this changing environment.
Carol’s reframe: I don’t know how to incorporate our existing employees with our new direction.
Daisy’s reframe: I don’t know how to make sales while addressing Steve’s concerns.
Take the next steps:
Explore new options
Ask for help
Acquire new skills
Your hero cape is waiting. Own the problem and new solutions become available. Happy Flying!