It's Not Always Right to Be Right

Chapter 9The 3 A’s (and one critical E)

I used to feel sorry for my remote‐based teams.

The isolated markets, the field sales crew, the regional office folk, those poor souls working on night shift away from the masses.

Distanced from the buzz and hype of head office, from the hourly meetings, the water cooler conversations, the coaching and training and the constant influx of visitors and revolving presentations.

Poor buggers.

I changed my view of all that one day. Saw a chart from our engagement gurus: those furthest away from head office tended to have the highest engagement scores.

Interesting. I guess author Salman Rushdie was right when he said, ‘Most of what matters in our lives takes place in our absence’.

THE MESSAGE

If you get the opportunity to do a centralised role, do it. Be it a shared service function, a regional role or even global stardom, just say yes and get in there. How long you stay there is up to you. It may drive you absolutely crazy, and, very likely, you will make heaps of mistakes. But oh, the benefits: huge and far ranging. Perspective is instantly expanded, relationship builds are mandatory and negotiation and mediation are necessities.

Plus, your chance to see the world will be greatly amplified, always a cool thing when others are paying for it. When you do get back into a local role or operational market, you will be infinitely better. Conversely, if you have only ever done a global or centralised role, then please prepare to move and do ...