VIM Executive Coaching must start this business coaching post with an apology. We heard this story second-hand, so please forgive us if it is paraphrased rather than verbatim. Nevertheless, it is illustrative of the mindset of reacting rather than responding to an executive leadership challenge.
First runner-up
Many years ago, an impressive east coast manufacturing company was engaged in a nation-wide search for a senior vice president of sales and marketing. Through referrals, employment websites and executive recruiters, the organization gathered an impressive pool of talent that was narrowed to seven potential candidates.
There was one internal candidate, an individual who had been with the organization for 11 years. By all accounts, he was well-liked, ethical, dedicated and “solid.” There was nothing flashy about him. He got results because people wanted to work for his department. They wanted to do well by him, because he listened and considered even the most creative of problem-solving approaches.
The search developed over nearly a month-and-a-half. How it happened, we don’t know, but a recruiter got in touch with the CEO – nearly at the last minute – to present a candidate who was (at one time) the industry’s acknowledged super-star. The man not only had a Reputation(Capital “R”) for getting results, but he was one of those folks who was routinely interviewed on cable news and had a few stints on a reality TV show. The CEO jumped at the chance. His comment to his “valued employee” of 11 years?
“Sorry. Don’t take this personally but as CEO, I had to go with a rainmaker and hard-charger. You’ll love working with him and let’s face it, you’re great, but not nearly as famous as he is.”
The runner-up glazed over, not knowing what to say or do. At the urging of his spouse, he left the company. It was a painful parting. He took a lower-level job in an allied industry until he could sort things out.
The viral Karma
Not long after the experience, COVID-19 marched across the business landscape. The super-star neither fell down nor achieved expected results. The CEO was hard-put to figure it out. Then, as 2020 (that year) transitioned to 2021 another phenomenon marched across the business landscape: the so-called Great Resignation. The company lost nearly all its sales and marketing people. No one wanted to work for the new guy.
The runner-up started to receive texts, email and phone calls. The super-star was officious, reactive and allegedly more in love with his social media platform than for anyone who worked on staff.
No, the CEO didn’t beg the runner-up to return. The runner-up, you see, had several attractive offers placed in front of him, including the chance to start his own company. Several ex-employees sent him their resumes “just in case.”
We are in the midst of sweeping change but in this story, the one thing that didn’t change was the runner-up’s personality and ultimately, his authenticity. In all things, he maintained his gratitude and humility; he remained mindful; he never lost his sense of service toward others.
The fizzle
In time, the super-star’s reality TV show wished him Bon Voyage and with it, the social media platform turned lackluster. He eventually left the company “to pursue other opportunities.” Fame, of course, is fickle. Celebrity turns vapid when it is used up.
We don’t fully know what happened to the first runner-up. We understand he has enjoyed success but he is far too humble to brag and far too mindful to believe the ride will always be smooth. Nevertheless, he is valued and respected, and is rising in stature and profile.
Mindfulness endures no matter what the profession. For Mindfulness is precious; to be centered and focused in the moment, to truly engage others without fixating on how it will affect social media “friends or followers,” is a meaningful life’s journey.