Is This Leadership?
Sarah’s husband left her four months ago for someone else, and she’s now raising her son, Kevin, alone. She works in an investment bank, and is about to be evaluated for a promotion. Her next promotion decision will be up or out – that is, she’ll either get a substantial promotion or she’ll be terminated.
For the past six months Sarah has been working on a big IPO project for a tech company. Most members of her team are working 12 to 18 hour days, and some have been sleeping overnight at the office. Sarah herself has worked long hours in the past, though never more than 10 or 12 since her husband left.
Sarah reports to Vikram, and he’ll be interviewed about her promotion. One morning she approaches him in his office and says, “Vik, I’m up for evaluation soon, and I know that I haven’t been putting in the same hours as everyone else recently. I want you to know that I’m arranging for my mother to come live with me for a while to help me take care of Kevin. She’s coming over next month. After that I’ll be going full speed again.”
That evening Vikram discusses Sarah with his wife, Raji. He tells her, “I’m afraid they’re going to fire her when they find out she’s been leaving early during this IPO. That’s all the reason these guys need. They could care less about her situation at home.”
Raji asks, “How’s her work?” Does she deserve the promotion?”
“My impression is that she’s doing as much real work as the rest of them – just going home earlier. She’s good, efficient. Most of these young guys are just hanging out late trying to be the last one to leave.”
“Just tell that to the promotion committee.”
“Look, these guys all did the same thing when they were younger. These are the type of people who brag about working long hours like it’s a good thing, an indication of their manhood. If I say she’s the first to leave, that’s enough to kill any shot she’s got. It doesn’t matter what else I say about her performance: nothing will compensate in their minds. I’ve seen it happen before.”
During the interview for Sarah’s promotion case, Vikram is asked how Sarah’s work on the IPO has been. He replies, “She’s doing outstanding work. She’s working as hard and long as everyone. In my opinion, she deserves this.”
Associate at 致良知四合院 ZS Institute
7yThis is definitely leadership and we call this self-awareness I believe. Under the "urgent" circumstance that she has to raise her son and gain her responsibility to work for IPO project. She knows the conflict between work and family and then she asks her mother to take care of her son temporarily. Therefore she could pay more attention to this project. This is a great case that the committee should know: this woman is deserved to be promoted because of self-leadership even though she still has to leave earlier than anyone else in this team.
Single Family office, Endowments, Private Equity + Venture Capital, Entrepreneurship
7yShe has the wrong job. The work nature and culture in investment banks are like that. If the manager covers for her for the promotion, it demotivates her peers and she still won't be able to work 12 to 18 hour shifts in the trenches the following year. The manager should do her a favor by telling the truth.
Operations Director at Nordic Office Architects - NOA
7y100% Leadership! She is doing a great effort coping with her personal life while delivering at least at the same level as her work colleagues, that in my view deserves respect. Plus as soon as the 'waters settle' she will be in a position to deliver even at a higher level that her work mates. That is the way, I think, Vikram should depict her candidature :) BTW Mr Neil Bearden I am still wearing the white bracelet :), don't I deserve the black one already :) Big hug Boss! (edited)
Business Development Manager | Technology Leader | Driving Result
7yI'm just curious. If all of us have little faith in the things we were to do, where would we be now?
Net Zero by Electrification
7yone swallow doesn't make a summer... Vikram should not use short period to judge performance.