PR 605 Week 8
Discussion and Assignment
Due: Noon, EST, March 19
As I
read the chapter for this week’s assignment (again), I couldn’t help but think
of many experiences I’ve had as a catalyst in the organization. On reflection, I had more organizational
power than I realized at the time. I
never thought of myself as a catalyst but rather a person whose job it was to
constantly scan the internal and external horizons to communicate to leadership
where the opportunities were (are) and where the potholes (and potential
potholes) are. I also needed to be ready
to defend or implement my ideas. I also
realized that this positioning had a lot of risks. I reported to a director who reported to a
vice president who reported to a president.
While
it’s not my habit to move around the leadership chain, occasionally, I did or was
asked. Not a comfortable position to be
in. When I was called into the
president’s office one morning, he wanted to know what I thought he should do
about an employee attitude survey that was -– simply terrible. Trying to be diplomatic, I suggested that
those kinds of issues were for his directors and vice presidents to discuss; I
was the external communications manager.
His face turned red, his fists hit the desk as he said, “I called you in
here because I know you’re the only one who’ll be truthful to me!” The feeling of honor , respect and risk at
the same time. I also though that
depending on my answers, I’ll either be fired or become fireproof. I worked for that company for another 20
years. Yes, there’s risk in becoming a
catalyst. There’s also reward.
For
several years, the president and I had lunch off premise every two weeks. We talked.
He questioned. I responded. My immediate boss never asked about those
discussions but also, I never trashed him.
This was where I learned what it’s like to be a trusted PR leader. (Also
good to have the president as a mentor.)
If you
cannot stand the uncertainty of a PR professional, try something else. Because to be a good PR professional, it’s
about uncertainty and risk. That’s the
role of a catalyst. (That also a good
reason to have six-months of living expenses saved.)
Do I
have more stories like this? Yep.
The
point of this is that as I established myself as a catalyst, I also established
myself as a power base and used that base to help my boss become a better boss
and the vice presidents to become better vice presidents. In terms of structure, I found myself in the
inner, inner-circle while still reporting on the outside. And, at the time, I thought about why I was
asked and doing this when a lot of others were making a whole lot more than
me. The more I thought about it, I
wondered if I would be more effective with a title and a wood desk. Or, would I lose my effectiveness if I moved
out of the cubicle?
That’s
this week’s lecture.
Your Assignment:
Your
text, on Page 120, talks about coercive power, politics, etc., and the risks
associated with being an organizational catalyst. Read it a few times. Think about it.
Here’s
my problem: In the company where I work (hypothetically), I’ve been asked
informally if I would consider a promotion to vice president and become a
member of the company executive committee.
This would put me in the inner, inner circle. The offer is in recognition of the work I’ve
done and the counsel I’ve provided. Yes,
there are a few bucks involved but money’s not important.
I’ve
always wanted to have that title, paneled walls and a wooden desk but I’m
afraid I might lose my effectiveness as a catalyst. Since you’re a good friend and will be honest
with me, I need your advice. What should
I do? If I go into that level of
leadership, I’m concerned that I might lose my objectivity or my information
sources. If I don’t what’s the boss
going to think about me?
The
boss has asked for my answer by March 19 and has said that she will respect my
decision – as long as there is good logic in my answer. I’m looking to you to think about this, read
your text, and give me some advice on how I should respond. I hope you can do this in three pages. I know
you’ll give me some good puts and takes.
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