be fired or become fireproof

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.