A truth at which we can arrive only by deeper research and more severe abstraction, by the separation of what is different and the union of what is identical. This truth, which must be very serious and Impressive if not awful to everyone, is that a man can also say and must say ” The world is my will”. Arthur Schopenhauer (22 February 1788 – 21 September 1860)
Transitions into new roles are the most challenging time in the professional lives of leaders. If you dig yourself into a hole early on, you will face an uphill battle from that point forward. Hidden transitions are perilous – lack of attention or recognition. Substantial changes in leader roles and responsibilities without change in titles.
Break-even point
- The goal in each transition is to reach quickly
- The contribution value to the new organization equals the consumption
- Break-even Analysis is an analytical technique that determines the least level of output (in units or dollars) the business needs to generate to pay off the cost of producing the goods or offering the services fully.
The great prize fighter Jack Dempsey was once asked, “When you are about to hit a man, do you aim for his chin or nose?” “Neither” Dempsey replied. “I aim for the back of his head”. THE MIND OF WAR, GRANT T. HAMMOND
Traps
- “Action imperative” – Trying too hard
- Feeling to take some action
- Setting unrealistic expectations
- Attempting to do too much – All directions
- Focus on key initiatives
- The wrong type of learning
- Too much time on technical
- Cultural and political dimension – Building a cultural insight, relationships and information channels
- Sticking with what you know – Success in a new role requires stopping doing some things
- Embrace new competencies
- Coming with “The answer”/ “The solution” – Quick conclusions
Victory seems to have been achieved. There remains merely a remnant of the evil resolutely to be eradicated as the time demands. Everything looks easy. Just there, however, lies the danger. If we are not on guard, evil will succeed in escaping by means of concealment, and when it has eluded us new misfortunes will develop from the remaining seeds, for evil does not die easily. THE I CHING, CHINA, CIRCA EIGTH CENTURY B.C.