Part Thirteen- An Interim Assignment

I entered the finance department. Stuart and his team were on yet another conference call to the central finance function. As it entered Stuart looked up and immediately looked at my expression then checked his watch acknowledged it was past the time and then gestured to the live conference call that was on-going. He shrugged his shoulders and I then gestured to him to call me when he was finished. I left the room slamming the door.

Within the hour a sheepish Stuart finance controller entered my office. He closed the door behind him (as my door is always opened to encourage people to feel that they can enter.)

“Sorry frank but you know what’s it’s like.” he gestured towards the phone.

“No Stuart tell me what it is like?”

“Well you know” spluttered Stuart. “They all insist on these calls.”

“Stuart, I do not care for the faceless finance fraternity obsession with constant reassurance with the numbers despite the fact I give a forecast every week. You are supposed to be part of the plant team. Everyone sees it accept you. You are either want to be part of the plant team or you want to be part of the central function. You need to make up your mind what it is you want.”

“Of course, I want to be part of the team you know that but they are so demanding.”

“Matrix management is about managing it.”

“but how do I do that I between a rock and a hard case.” The inference was there. I relaxed.

“Part of management is managing expectations of your manager. It’s always a skill.

“Can I make a suggestion? “I pleaded.

“Sure please.”

“Block out using outlook calendar the slot your supposed to be with the team. Block it for no end date. Then give access to your matrix boss Gareth access to view your calendar for appointments. He will acknowledge that and when he tries to get a timeslot with you he will see your busy then and automatically choose the time when your free.”

Stuart nodded. “They still think they are in charge without realizing you have directed them.” Stuart smiled.

“A leader is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.”

Nelson Mandela quote for his autobiography ‘the long walk to freedom’

Stuart relieved nodded graciously. “It will not happen again Frank I can assure you.”

“Good then the team will know you’re a team player and not a central lap dog.”

Stuart left the room rushing to his outlook calendar I suspected.Th