Not so long ago I was discussing the working relationship between a senior executive and his CEO boss. They had only been working a matter of months together and now the realities of their partnership and differences in style were coming more to light. The senior executive realized he was going to have to make some adjustments, in order for the relationship to develop in a positive way.
When I enquired about some of the considerations related to this important matter, he came up with such points as: Need to effect necessary company changes; keep the company growing; retain his CEO’s confidence. From these primary thoughts, the senior executive was able to pose an effective question to begin framing his intuitive thoughts. This ended up as, “What is my best option for fostering a good working relationship with my CEO, considering the need to effect necessary company changes, keep the company growing, and retain his confidence?
From this he was able to create some useful “bookends” (see latest example). Bookends are important in option solving, since, not only do they considerably help frame the issues for the intuitive mind to work at its best, but they spur our intuitive mind to be at its most creative (depending on the quality of the bookends of course).
He was now positioned to come up with some good alternative options, such as: Move some things forward on my own (check in afterward): Postpone responses to him (wherever possible) for 12-24hrs and re-engage with more empathetic responses: more in latest example. Once he decided his most favorable option, he moved ahead. Now things seem to be in better working order with the need to build upon that over time.
Thanks Option Solving. (NOTE: Next posting in 2 weeks: Owing to the time of year, it is a good time to review career choices through Option Solving again; especially for students. Make your COMMENTS or go to peter @ileadershipsolutions.com to connect with the author.)
Filed under: Business Decision Making | Tagged: Realtions with Boss |
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