Leadership Chapter 36

“I’ve decided to leave.” I say as I continue to lean forward and make eye contact. The room goes quiet. He looks disappointed. He clearly wasn’t expecting this answer and I continue. “I had a good think about this last night and I really appreciate the way in which you have worked with me during my time here. You have been very supportive, respectful and have helped me to develop as a leader. I am also very grateful for the exposure and the opportunities you have given me despite some of the challenges I’ve had with my boss. In the interest of building my career and one day becoming like you though, I think it’s time for me to go into a new industry, with new people and learn new skills.”

“Why do you feel that this job won’t give you the kind of development you need?” He asks. “Well, as a start, I need to be realistic with myself. This was my first real leadership role and I have a lot to learn. This may sound wrong but I’ll say it anyway. I am not ready to become an executive and when I do become one, I want to be prepared and make a success of it. This jump is too big and too soon. I have time and when I’m ready, I will give you a call.”

He looks at me in disbelief at the thought that I was going to take up a senior manager position in a new company and declining an executive role here. “You are the first person I’ve come across who has told me I’m not ready,” he says. “That’s honest and for that reason alone, I won’t even try to convince you otherwise.” “Just out of interest,” he continues, “tell me about your new job.” 

Feeling a sense of relief that this conversation was not going to drag on, I quickly move on to talking about where I’m going. “To start with, this is a new industry which I know nothing about. So far in my career, I’ve always worked in a new industry whenever I have moved as this helps me to learn how people in different environments think and behave.” Secondly, I will be responsible for more than one department which will ease me into managing more than one area of business at a time. I think this may be my greatest challenge.” 

He laughs and says “Yes it can be challenging as you have to start relying more on your leadership than your technical skills to get that right. It becomes more about finding and leading experts than it is about being an expert in everything yourself.” I grab my pen and book as I hear this. “Just say that again please?” I ask. He repeats himself and I write it down. Deep… very deep.

“Lastly, I continue, “I will be responsible for a bigger group of people and from what I’m told, there is quite a lot to fix in the business which excites me somewhat. If I can lead this group out of its current state and get results, I think I’ll then be ready for executive leadership. 

“I’ve really enjoyed our conversation Amasi,” the CEO says. You’re a level headed young man and I have no doubt you’ll go far. I’ll be watching to see how your career progresses and always remember that the more senior you become in leadership, the less about you it becomes.”

We stand up, shake hands the meeting ends.

I had just held my own and stood my ground…