Welcome back to another episode of the corporate Cowboys podcast my name is Alex your host for the next 30 minutes we’ll treat this as a consultation of sorts this podcast is oriented around professional development but it’s geared toward and we’re in the business of business and we would like to cultivate the next
Generation of corporate Cowboys of leaders in the corporate space because after all everyone is born into this corporate War whether we realize it or not it’s sooner the sooner that we realize is sooner that we can start working with corporate and not just working for it right
Elevating the individual to the level of an entire Corporation which sounds powerful when you think about it folks always claim that corporate is Corporate is psychotic corporate is is this corporate it’s that corporate has no feelings well what about you you’ve got feelings and you’ve got agility
You can turn on a dime where in corporate for the most part you’ve got a lot of red tape and levels of clearance to go through see you can do it moving where corporate cannot sometimes that works in your favor on your path to attaining that state of consummate professionalism
You can negotiate every twist every turn and if you’re capable it’ll be in your favor today’s question comes from our slash career guidance they’re asking uh dang this is a long one all right so let me let me go ahead and read this this is pretty long
They’re asking I have to lay off people I have to lay people off how do I move on from this damn it sounds like it’s going to be philosophical they’ve flared it for advice so I’ll do what I can to try and pull you know reasonable inferences from this
Question and because it’s a rather long body I’m thinking I’m hoping that there’s a lot of contextual information a lot of facts juicy or not that will help inform an opinion given that little legal disclaimer is that any opinion that we give across our platforms should
Not be construed or taken to be legal advice you haven’t engaged with us directly we do not condone or promotes any wrongful activity any criminal activity questionable Maybe but not wrongful okay especially when you’re dealing in corporate and the topic of ethics it’s just ethereal it’s in The Ether and we
Operate in ethics so they start with having to manage through layoffs is the most stressful thing I’ve ever had to do okay so this is going to be more like a narrative format you can follow along and you can hear the questions that I would be posing to
This hypothetical client if I had them in front of me then it would be in order to get a better idea biographical information or uh more context additional context that we could then use to strategize and come up with an actionable plan but what I’m trying to elicit what we
Try to elicit over the course of interviews and questionnaires with clients in real life is actionable Intel actual intelligence and sometimes the the client doesn’t pick up on what we’re asking for and sometimes some clients take to this this line these lines of questioning and these interviews better than others
Where they know what I’m driving at and so they’re able to uh get to the point faster so this person is writing having to manage through layoffs is the most stressful thing I’ve ever had to do as a mid-level manager oh they’re a middle manager I’ve I have zero control over what
Happens to my team I’ve worked hard to build a strong team culture where people feel safe and respected and I feel all the work I’ve put into creating this culture is being ripped away for no other reason than the business wants their budget to look better this year
It is such a short sighted view that creates an environment of distrust companies want loyalty yet we can be discarded in the most ruthless of manners sounds like this hypothetical client really took their time to draft uh the body on this question and there’s one two three four about five paragraphs
I do want to touch on the fact that I’ll just I’ll start with saying that when you are a manager as soon as you’re put into a a level a position where you are the supervisor I mean you’ve got multiple paths that you could take whether you want to be dictatorial or
If you’re gonna be a pushover manager and that really depends on the overall organizational culture that doesn’t mean that you can’t cultivate a culture below your position have it be a mini chain of command uh a mini pyramid of control Within the larger pyramid of the organization now sometimes managers up top
Will pick up on the fact that or will be aware to the fact that their cultural values their organizational values are not conducive to Innovation are not conducive to collaboration and so you in your nebulous mind thinking that you can cultivate this culture beneath yourself in those individuals that are in
Positions below yours that might be viewed as a threat right I’ve been in that position before and have had a corporate upper level corporate reach out to me out of fear that I would unionize but that’s what happens when you’re a competent leader when you’re charismatic and are able to Garner
Not just attention but support for a vision of how business can be bettered how business can be improved so what would a corporate Cowboy do well back then the time that I was speaking of I wasn’t uh I wasn’t as knowledgeable as I am now I was definitely younger I was what late
Teens early 20s and um I was already put into positions of leadership which I excelled at but corporate did not take kindly to fact that I had ideas on where to improve Business Without selling our people short you know in an Ideal World the CEO is like the general and then everybody
Falls in line below them that’s the pyramid a pyramid of command right because when you think about the span of control that a CEO has a CEO can Point anybody out and let them go fire them everyone is entry level forever even the CEO so you would think
That it would behoove the CEO to Foster a culture of trust and and interdependability but that requires that requires real personality and some of these [ __ ] incorporate are superficial at best their paper thin and only skin deep it’s atrocious but the world is full of these people
I mean not full of them not to the brim but the the world has these types of people in positions of influence it’s not even real power it’s only perceived power the ones with real power tend to be the ones who get knocked the [ __ ] off because
They have the kind of power that others would kill for that others would fire on you for in a fire at will situation let me continue the things I’ve been asked to do as a manager the last couple of months have made it hard for me to even sleep at night
I’ve considered quitting several times knowing what is about to happen to my team Jesus jeez this really pulls at the heartstrings man of a of a consonant professional someone who’s cultivated and developed and coached a team of individual team members who if you do it correctly if if it’s done right
We’ll stick their necks out for you you might even take a bullet for you and quote unquote real life not just in the work setting that’s possible when you’re dealing with real people but again this is Corporate let’s keep reading I’ve considered quitting several times knowing what is about to happen to my
Team knowing I’m asked to lie to them and and legally not allowed to say what’s coming even though I know everything I have to lie and pretend and read statements off of a script that has been provided even when my team asked me straight up what’s going on HR has
Instructed me to Gaslight and lie people say this is just business but why is business this way I understand that there are times this is the next paragraph I understand that there are times when layoffs need to be ha happen need to be need to happen yeah
I thought it needs to be hidden hold on I misread that I apologize I I understand that there are times when layoffs need to happen for various reasons the business needs change competitors come on through the market a direction shifts I totally get it my problem is not with having layoffs itself
It’s with the way in which companies use layoffs to their advantage when there is actually no real need it’s also how the layoffs are handled why can’t companies be transparent that a layoff is coming and give people time and opportunity to find a new job at my company we have known it’s coming
For some for quite some time yet we lie to our Workforce I know the exact date I’m letting someone go two months from now yet I have to pretend I know nothing all this time they could have voluntarily left or started looking for a new job instead I will have to let
Them go and their company access will get shut off immediately and they are out the door as a manager I have to have their one-to-ones and pretend like I know nothing as a manager who tries to lead with compassion empathy and positivity this eats my soul I get it
I I totally understand it hurts it’s it’s uh it’s a betrayal in every sense of the word it’s just not called betrayal when you’re selling your team shorts incorporate at least they don’t call it betrayal but that is that is it really when you’ve worked in the trenches
Especially especially if you came up with this team right and you were promoted over them and you were sought out by uh your leadership to have you lead your team and you develop them so you came up through the trenches together you killed together you ate together
And now you have to cut them loose it [ __ ] hurts it burns as what would a corporate Cowboy do you ask I mean you’ve got a couple of options but let’s let’s take the hypothetical client right obviously we would want to know what their status in life is their social position
Whether or not they’ve got dependents at home whether or not they’ve got something lined up if they’ve been seeking replacement employment elsewhere they’ve got some kind of cushion in terms of finances we’d want to take a look at that employment agreement also and find really what it says whether or
Not they can disclose the fact that layoffs are coming or what gray area exists I mean it’s a little too late to throw it in their face and say well you should have negotiated better when you took this leadership role but now that they’re in this role it
Doesn’t mean that they have to stop being a a competent leader with dignity with Integrity With Honor what because corporate told you you can’t [ __ ] all that what would a corporate Cowboy do not break the law not no not by any stretch of the human imagination but when you’re dealing with corporate
You can take your team with you a little x-fill a little extraction now that’s going to take some that’s going to take monumental steps and deliberate orchestration but you’re gonna have to let your team in on the fact that these layoffs are coming down and everybody’s on the [ __ ] chopping block alternatively
You want to evaluate you want to assess how much juice how much pool you have in the organization is it worth going to bat for them not once more because you would do it but how far can you get advocating for them in your current position who can you negotiate for
Maybe you do want to shave off some of the lower performers and keep some of the top performers maybe that is a way you can prepare some type of proposal some type of initiative to keep those that produce the most even though they get paid a little more
So the company doesn’t get this so that the organization doesn’t get this overall reputation of being untrustworthy but competitive you see there is a way to have your cake and eat it too what you need is a second perspective nah but corporate and it’s and it’s uh Divine what is it what’s it
Called and it’s wisdom and it’s and it’s Provident wisdom thinks that by stabbing [ __ ] in the back and cutting everybody loose because what it’s it’s year-end or it’s uh the the third quarter is about to begin if they can just start cut fools down they’re going to start cutting people down
Well this person said it’s two months away what so in the fourth quarter you want to cut people down so that when the next year rolls over what you can just hire newbies again inexperienced or some with less experience that you’ll have to train and develop once more because you
Think you can save a couple of bucks on salary nah come on man especially if you’re dealing with Fortune 500s Fortune 100 there is a way to have your cake and eat it too not just [ __ ] on whatever cake is available literally [ __ ] where you eat [Laughter] continuing they write some people have
Said I’m just not cut out for management because of the way this has impacted me and I feel the exact opposite whoa that’s a twist more people like me need to be in management uh hold on I didn’t read anything in here that this [ __ ] moved like a
Corporate Cowboy it sounds like he’s going to let these people go but he’s but they are just gonna feel bad doing it okay what the [ __ ] yeah no that’s fine you brought up this crop of uh This Crew you brought up this crew under you and uh you’ve grown attached to them
That’s no different to just bringing on interns every year having favorites and still having to let them go because their position was temporary yeah nothing in here is telling me that they’re going to go out of their way to vouch for their team right to uh to gain some ground
For the professional over corporate if anything it sounds like they’re the perfect Cog in the wheel of corporate sounds like they’ve been greased and corporate is running exactly how they want it to run more people like me they write need to be in management in my 360 review well
Now they’re gonna pop their collar in my 360 review my team rated me with the highest scores for fostering a culture where they feel they can speak openly about difficult issues that I lead with Integrity honor my commitments and communicate openly and have high ethical standards that I
Create an environment where people feel valued and different perspectives are encouraged and respected that I promote a culture of learning and that I consistently apply good judgment I belong in a Management’s role I am cut out to be a manager all right well there you go you’re not a leader get over yourself
You’re just a manager I I could probably cut this right here but you’ve got me for another about five minutes so I could rip this [ __ ] a new one whether they’re male or female give two [ __ ] but they’re the perfect manager because unless they’ve got some prescription for Xanax or Klonopin
And they’re getting this [ __ ] and whine on Reddit and still show up to work because they have to Gaslight and lie and [ __ ] feel bad about it while they do it nothing is going to change they’re meant to be a manager that’s what a manager does a manager manages a leader leads
Corporate cowboy which one do you think we’re doing I mean unless unless this manager is also lending a hand holding a hand out for his team doing them a solid and actually giving them some type of informal notice that life could be better working somewhere else and that
It would be in their best interest to broaden their Professional Network you see notice how I’m I’m saying these things and motivating my team to work to find better options and not stay so close to do it moving but that’s what you get in corporate
You see we don’t know if if this manager has a family at home has modeled the feed and they’re afraid if they open their mouth for any [ __ ] reason other than to lie that they’re going to lose their job all right then your job is to [ __ ] lie and you’re doing it
To the T chef’s kiss you’re doing it exactly how Corporate wants it done I belong in management yeah yeah you do if I were your supervisor I would get rid of everyone but you [Laughter] they’re right I am cut out to be your manager
I am not cut out to lie to my team and cut off people’s livelihoods for no good reason than to save 157 000 for half a year when my company makes 20 plus billion a year whoa okay so maybe they’re a Fortune 500 Fortune 100. right but they’re still a man they’re just
What this is just a whining post a [ __ ] post they’re on here bitching about I’m not made to lie but [ __ ] it I’m gonna show up to work tomorrow cause a job is a job ass [ __ ] I will probably have to rehire these roles next year when the budget resets I called it
The people we are letting go have been good performers and I’m told it’s simply a role elimination to save money for this year how do I move on from this and lead the rest of you’re not [ __ ] leading dog how do I move on from this and leave the
Rest of my team you’re not [ __ ] leading you’re managing you’re a good manager that’s it you’re not a good leader laughs and if and if you do this year to year you’re you’re a slaver you’re a manager a glorified slaver obviously right because I mean there are some good
Managers but in today’s day and age the modern day professional they shouldn’t be dependent on their manager keeping them because they’re a good employee you have to do that [ __ ] moving especially especially if you are a corporate cowboy you can’t be satisfied with the fact you have a job
You’ve got to be looking for something better if you’re not making it work where you are now if you are not actively improving where you are now if you’re not networking if you’re not tapping somebody’s shoulder and letting them know that your ideas were acting we’re actually their ideas
And in their best interest s there’s a way you can sell your ideas without having to sell yourself out and securing your livelihood if what you want is something long-term but that’s totally different you’ve got no friends in corporate you’ve got Associates and that’s it there are the ones you do dirt with
And the ones who get dusted that’s it but that’s the way of corporate life this this is this is Corporate War this is Corporate War you ever work with a friend and that friend was I’ve got a good story real quick well not even real quick it’s just anecdotal just anecdotal it’s it’s
Having to work with a friend and you get along while you work together but you get along so well that very little work gets done and the moment you’re put into a position where now you have to answer for the work getting done they don’t want to carry on
Because well they’ve got you as a friend and you’re a manager so they think that you will overlook all the times that they [ __ ] up they start showing up late they start neglecting clients they start looking bad and it makes the organization looks bad it makes the organization look bad and reflects
Poorly on you as well when you do you let them go and that’s when you realize that you’ve got no real friends in corporate you’ve got Associates especially if they’re not professionally minded they’re not taking care of business what you think business is going to take care of them
It’s the whole point you take care of business you do it right business will take care of you catch you on the next one you’ll find us on uh on Instagram that’s at corporate Cowboys with the Z on patreon that’s the corporate Cowboys podcast there are multiple tiers you can join
And all funds collected they go to business expenses and legal fees you want to write to us that’s P.O box 3372 Rancho Cordova California 95741 and that gets checked every so often so give us some time because we have to forward it take care of yourself
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