Don Straits - Dragon Slayer

Here are some random thoughts on a trend I have witnessed since the recession began in October '08.  Perhaps it has existed longer than I acknowledge, but I am firmly convinced it is now more prevalent than ever.  I would welcome your thoughts and comments.  Please tell me if I have it all wrong.

I will start with a story from the past as it relates to the present.

About 30 years ago, early in my career, at the age of 28, I launched my first business.  I was naive but confident.  I could do anything (my ego taking control) and nothing was going to stop me.  My first business was a machine tool manufacturing company.  Four years later I sold it at an exceptional profit. I knew nothing about machine tools.  I didn't even know what a lathe was.

During that time, the father of a friend of mine....who I suspect was about 60 years old....told me how much he admired what I had done.  It made me feel proud.  At the same time he said he always planned on pursuing a new career....or starting a business....or going back to school, but the timing was always wrong.  Their was always something that prevented him from making the decision to move forward.  I never forgot what he said and it has influenced me to this day.

It reminds me of a civil war story.  General McClelland was a great administrator.  He could organize and plan.  But when it came time to fight, he could never make the decision to go to battle.  Timing, the weather, the troops, the enemy, the supplies were never what they should be.  Then along came General Grant.  He took over for General McClelland.  He pointed his troops in the right direction and said "March" and he took Richmond.  "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead."

Today, so many executives, perhaps because of the recession, are frightened of the economy, or maybe their own uncertainty/lack of confidence with all the new business and career paradigm's.  They talk of all the good times from days gone by and they don't have a clue on what to do for their future.

One simple example:  I recently talked with a prospective client about the importance of building an online presence and industry respect through all the tools available on the Net.  I talked about how he could succeed with a thought leadership blog.  His eyes lit up and said, in his industry, no one is doing it and there was a great opportunity to gain the advantage of being the first in.  I said:  "Let's go. Make it happen."  The decision should have taken him about 37 seconds.  Instead, he responded, "Nope, timing isn't right.  Too much going on in my life.  Not now.  Maybe later.  Got to think about it.  Have to talk with my wife."  Needless to say, it never happened.  Opportunity lost.

In today's tough market, execs don't want to break out of the comfort zone. One example is that many refuse to relocate.  They need to recognize relocation might be necessary.  It is a different world we are in and relocation should be an option.  Trust me....you will adapt...and probably love it better than where you are at currently.  But again I get all the excuses. "Not now."  "Family issues."  "I like it here."  "I probably can't sell my house."

I have a good friend who was one of my student's at Seton Hall University.  He has had a great career in computer forensics.  He wants to advance his career.  He has been seeking out new positions.  He has gotten several offers from some of the most prestigious law firms in the nation.  But he won't relocate.....and he says....there is just nothing available in my area.  There is nothing holding him where he is at other than the same old tired worn out excuses.

Here is an interview question.  Answer for your self who would get the job.

"Will you relocate?"

Young Aggressive Executive:  "I will go any where, any place, any time necessary to get the job done.  When do I start."

Senior Executive:  "I really can't relocate.  Can I work remote from my home.  I can fly to the office when I am needed."

Who is going to get hired?  The answer is easy, yet the senior executive will call it age discrimination.

On a daily basis I talk to senior executives who cannot make decisions regarding their careers.  "Do I stay in my job?"  "Do I try a different industry?"  "Do I relocate?"  "Do I take a pay cut?"  "Do I really have to do 'that' to get a job?"  "I'm too old to go back to school."  "Do I really have to learn how to tweet?...and what the hell is it anyway?"

The net result is that many of these executives....who made awesome contributions in their younger years....are doomed to failure unless they become decisive about their future and are willing to adapt to the new paradigms.  Either keep up-to-date or you will be put out to pasture.  Of course the first thing that happens is they blame age discrimination.  For the real problem, they need to take a close look in the mirror. 

The best decision for the execs that won't adapt and be decisive, would be to drop out of corporate America and go start a small community business.  Service businesses are usually the best in today's market.  Trying to fit in using your old school business strategies and tactics just won't cut it.  Even with a small community service business you need to understand the new technologies....social networking, mobile marketing, organic marketing, and on and on.

I've only scratched the surface.  Every day I witness executives' indecisiveness.  Many of these executives had very successful careers, but now they don't know what to do.  They are finding it extraordinarily difficult to find a job.   In many ways I don't blame them for their frustration.  Times are tough.  Knowing which direction to turn is difficult.  But the longer they wait the tougher it gets. Simply stated:  executives should evaluate their options, choose a course of action, and then, like General Grant, MARCH.