Tesar-Reynes

I talked to someone the other week that was told that “he had been relieved of duty” as a CMO. I was one of the people he called after he took some time off to get his head on straight. He was fortunate that the news still had not reached the press. Before discussing the steps for his next job, I asked him these questions:

- Had he gone through most of the stages of grieving?
- Was he thinking straight and were his emotions under control?
- Was there any negotiations left on his separation package, and, was he centered enough to do it?
- Was there agreement with his old company as to the rationale of his leaving the company?
- Did he know what was being said about him by his peers and subordinates at the old company?
- Had he done a personal P&L on how long he could go before finding another job?
- What had he told his family and how was his family handling it?

I call these questions “Foundation Building.” Once the foundation is set for this CMO, the next part is to develop plans to rebuild the house. There are few times in one’s life when an opportunity like this presents itself to recast your identity and goals……except maybe divorce. The latitude of this potential restructuring is almost totally dependent on money, time and risk costs needed to move to another limb on the career tree. The reality is that we don’t have a pile of money hidden away to do something radically new! Below are some points to review before starting the new hunt. They should sound vaguely familiar:

- Research your likes and dislikes
- Review your strengths and weaknesses
- Rediscover what makes you passionate
- Revisit unmet dreams
- Talk to your partner and get their thoughts
- Talk to anyone whose judgment you trust
- Consider options on how to reposition your self
- Develop an elevator pitch for the new you
- Fine tune the pitch on the neighbors
- Prepare a resume and cover letter that substantiates the positioning
- Revisit the option of where would you be willing to live?
- In the current economy, what sort of salary range do you want?
- Research what is the demand for someone of your experience?
- Look in the mirror: how old are you; how old do you act?
- Are there industries that are out of bounds for you?
- Are there new industries that are hot or hold your passion?