Leadership Chapter 29

As I arrive at the CEO’s office, his ever smiling PA isn’t her happy self today. She looks at me as I walk in and puts on a sad face. “What is this I hear young man?” she asks in a motherly tone. “Is it true that you’re leaving”? “Yes it is true” I respond with an equally sad face knowing fully well that she has always given me access to the CEO when I needed it and she had just been really good to me.

At this point I realise just how emotional this would be over the next month as I served my notice. For the first time in my career, I had actually built relationships with people in the business who cared about my well being. While I had focussed on defending myself from my boss who didn’t seem bothered, these relationships went unnoticed to me. How did I miss this? 

As I have this moment, the CEO walks out. “Come through Amasi. Coffee? Tea?” “Tea please” I respond somehow relieved that I was still being offered something to drink despite resigning. 

We go into his office, take our seats and a difficult conversation begins. “So how did we get here”, he asks. “I thought we were building something together”. I take a deep breathe and start recalling the conversation I just had with my mentor. “There are a number of things I wanted to achieve and learn during my time here” I begin. “To start with, this was my first proper leadership job and I must admit, I have learnt a lot both about myself and what it means to lead people.” I then proceed to go through the list that my mentor and I had discussed. 

Having been forced by my mentor to think about my reasons for leaving on that phone call just before this meeting, I am adequately prepared for this conversation and I am so convincing that the CEO is actually impressed with my thinking. “So what are your long term career plans?” he asks looking somewhat captivated. “I plan to be CEO like you by the time I am 35 and I intend to be a good one” I respond. “To achieve that, I need exposure to different environments among other things and this one has taught me a lot and I appreciate the role you have played in growing me.” 

“Why do you want to be CEO?” he asks. “During my time here I have accidentally developed the people I work with and it has been very satisfying to see how their lives and performance have improved. I have also seen how this has delivered business results. I think with the right level of influence, I can do this at a bigger scale and that level is CEO” I respond. “That’s very mature Amasi.” he says. “Your reasons are valid and anytime you need advice you can call me. Leadership isn’t easy but you’re right about one thing, it’s about people.” 

“You know you are always welcome here right?” he says as we conclude our conversation. “Yes I do” I respond. “Trust me, if things don’t work out where I’m going, you will be the first person I call. “Please do” he says as he smiles through a relatively sad face. 

I had just had a deep conversation with an ENTIRE CEO and I had come out of the meeting having achieved my objectives. This particular day is memorable as it does wonders for my corporate confidence. I too can converse and convince at this level.. 

On this day, my boss sends out one of those, “it’s with great regret that we announce that Amasi is leaving....”emails. Just when I thought I had finally settled this, I was never ready for what happens next ??