“I will walk before they make me run.”– Keith Richards
This is the Great Reallocation. Of power, talent, money, and innovation. The next two years will determine new winners in big tech, cars, healthcare, and banking.
This is the crisis that many transformation executives have been waiting for.
We love it when the world gets snapped out of ‘normal.’ We feel a sense of urgency about change, and love when circumstances force others to share our urgency. It’s an opportunity to discard old, bad, expensive habits and embrace new ones.
But it can be treacherous. In big, mature companies, we can be perceived as an outlier and a threat.
We sat down with Punks and Pinstripes Members @Paul Stonick and @Andrea Mohamed to talk about the transformation strategy for the Great Reallocation. Here are their top tips:
Don’t be afraid to walk. Yes, it’s scary. But if you don’t have the support you need then you should walk. Otherwise you’ll be forced out on someone else’s terms.
Pitch outcomes not ideas. If you see a way to remove inefficiency or fuel growth, pilot it. Then ask for help in scaling it. If you pitch it as a ‘new idea’ you will be rejected.
Engage your executive evangelist early and often. You need an aligned understanding of when and how you’ll need each other to step up.
Over-invest in your network. You can’t do this alone. You need a high-trust network who can offer actionable advice and real solidarity.
@Andrea Mohamed
“Over time I’ve realized there aren’t many of us who show up with fire and passion in a huge organization. During a crisis this contrast becomes more vivid. And because we don’t need people to motivate us, we’re perceived as not needing help. But, sometimes our abilities hit a wall. We get stuck.
I’ve learned over time to be open with my evangelist early on that I will require support and we have a shared understanding of what that support is. I used to assume that it was clear, and learned over time that it needs to be explicit and repeated often.”
@Paul Stonick, “I have worked through four recessions. Several key Evangelists helped me navigate the soul-crushing politics that emerge during a downturn. During a recession, when you fight bureaucracy, bureaucracy fights back.You need to deliver outcomes that are mission critical. Then ask for support (and forgiveness). You need an executive who’ll be your ‘bullet-proof vest.’ And you need to serve as that leader for others. If you don’t have that support, be ready to walk out on your own terms. Because the alternative is being forced out on someone else’s terms. And that’s always worse.”
Punks & Pinstripes is a private executive network of badass transformative executives like Paul and Andrea. Together, we’ll be just fine.
