The metaphor that comes with driving a BRZ in a blizzard.

The distance between Toronto and Montreal is 543 Kilometres (337 miles).

A BRZ (Subbaru BRZ) is a 2-door fastback coupé. 

A blizzard is a a severe snowstorm with high winds and low visibility.

The plan was to drive from Toronto to Montreal for a meeting and visit friends, and although a bit of a drive, it is usually easy and scenic. I would leave Sunday morning and be back Tuesday night. On Saturday night it was pointed out to me that there was a big storm coming out of the west and there would be a fair bit of snow on the ground when it's all over. Toronto is notorious for the big storm that is about hit the city that never really materializes, so I said I would worry about it Sunday morning.

As I looked out my window the next day, big flakes filled the air and the sky looked like there was much more on the way. Checking the weather forecast it looked like there was a big storm heading east from the US Midwest and the front was just starting to hit the city; as I continued to understand the situation, it seemed that the storm was not going to start in Montreal until later in the day. Knowing this, I began to weigh my options. I could just cancel the trip "due to weather" and sit tight, although missing the meeting would push back some of the things I was doing and impact others. I also had to consider that my BRZ is a car build for dry roads, and although I had snow tires and extra weight in the trunk, it did not handle well in deep snow. As the clock ticked and the snow fell I decided I wouldn't cancel; if I could get ahead of the storm, I would get to Montreal before it did and all would be well. Besides, if it got really bad, I could always find a motel.

Time was now of the essence because for my plan to work I had to be faster than the storm.

As I made my way out of the city the roads became slippery, the snow was piling up, and I came across the odd car up against a guardrail. Making my way eastward visibility got better, the roads became clearer, and I was able increase my speed. I remember saying to myself, "I've gotten ahead of the storm".  

For about an hour this seemed to be the case and then one of two things happened; either the storm caught up with me or a second storm came in from the south. I suspect it was a combination of both and soon enough I found myself slowing to a crawl, snow piled up on the highway, and poor visibility was the best I could hope for. As I continued to make my way towards Montreal the volume of traffic would ebb and flow, and there were times I was by myself crawling along an empty highway. Once in a while I would come across a snowplow that helped clear the way and make the driving  a little better, and sometimes I would come across a car in the ditch. I would stop at the highway service centres along the way to stretch and I would meet other people who were making their way; when we spoke there were words of encourage and we always ended by saying, "Drive safely".

As I made my way, my resolve to make it to Montreal safe and sound hardened... honestly, I don't think I ever thought of pulling over and waiting the storm out. In the end it took me nine hours to get from Toronto to Montreal, and the last half hour was maybe the easiest and quickest.

That night Montreal got 29 Centimetres of snow (11 inches), but by then I was all settled in with a glass of wine and wonderful conversation.

Maybe I was ahead of the storm after all.

iamgpe.

The worst example of Leadership I've heard in a while...

The story goes something like this...

A relatively new employee arrived at work and as she settled into her day she got a call from Human Resources to come to their office. Upon arriving, she was informed she was being terminated; they went on to say it wasn't a performance issue, that they would give her a good reference, and the situation was the result of broader business issues. It was effective immediately, and did she want them to collect her things.

After hearing this, I asked where her boss was when as this was happening and was told he was in another office in the building. I could not help but become indignant on her behalf and said, "That is just awful leadership, and most likely reflects a gutless culture. You are better off not working for an organization like that." 

Before I offer a perspective as to why I said this, I should make it very clear that I understand employees get terminated, be it for cause or simply because the company is at a bad time in the business cycle. It is one of those hard realities of business. I operate under a simple premise that hiring managers hire and hiring managers fire, and there is a great responsibility that comes with hiring, managing, leading, and every so often, terminating people. This situation was a lack of ownership in my mind and avoiding the responsibility for the greatest asset a company has.

If you may be thinking Human Resources IS responsible for terminating, I will suggest that's not the case. Human Resources is responsible for governance of people, the systems and processes for people management, coaching, and maybe even development, but not termination of a person (or hiring for that matter). They are a partner in what has to be done, but the responsibility and ownership is with the manager.

Terminating someone from the organization needs be, and always should be, a very difficult thing to do. There needs to be a constant reminder that it is not a faceless exercise and that a person's life is being impacted. I understand that a person owns his or her career, as well as meeting the expectations that come with the role, but it is important to keep this in mind:

• If they are not working out, maybe you shouldn't have hired them in the first place.
• If they were struggling, did you work to develop them up to their potential or out of the organization in a clear and respectful manner.

In the case of the story that I heard the other day, the manager should have been front and centre to look the person in the eye and deliver the difficult news, if for no other reason than the respect owed to the person. 

And this brings us back to why I think it's the worst example of Leadership I've heard in a while. Why would anyone want to work for an organization that doesn't want to take ownership, avoids what is difficult, and doesn't respect the most important asset they have? I will also point out that the manager has a boss, and that boss has a boss, and this situation most likely reflects something bigger than just one person. It probably reflects a company culture and maybe that is why they are struggling.

What makes this story even more interesting is two days after being terminated the company called the woman back and offered her a job. She of course declined.

Rightfully so in my mind.

iamgpe

I was reminded of change and growth the other day..

If you have ever read anything I've written you will know I do like telling stories, do love a fine metaphor... and a good quote for that matter; with that said, I think it is fair to say you have been forewarned.

Over the past couple of years I have downsized my house into something much smaller in the city, decided to build a boutique consulting shop and have been positioning myself to look at the world with more of an entrepreneurial eye. I am developing a body of work through my blogging and writing and changing myself to look at life differently; a wonderful journey so far. Recently, I had a conversation with someone who did not understand what I was doing, why I was doing it, saw no benefit in what I was doing, suggested it would be more beneficial to go back to what I was doing before it was to late, and measured success with touchstones that were more reflective of a repugnant character than success. 

To all of it I simply said, "This is your problem, not mine".  And if Internet motivational quotes are any indication, I was right.

I was right for many other reasons but go with it.

For a seed to achieve its greatest expression, it must come completely undone. The shell cracks, it's insides come out and everything changes. To someone who doesn't understand growth, it would look like complete destruction.  - Cynthia Occlli

When she transformed into a butterfly, the caterpillars spoke not of her beauty, but of her weirdness. They wanted her to change back into what she always had been.

But she had wings.

- Unknown

As I reflect back on that discussion of change and growth, I was reminded of one last quote that is important as you take those first steps towards growth.

You only need your approval.

Anyone elses is just a bonus.

- Unknown

Remember, I did warn you.

iamgpe