Indelible Adventures: Into the fray...

Welcome to Indelible Adventures! If you enjoy what you read here please subscribe to my weekly distribution list via the Indelible Adventures website or browse my latest photos and upcoming adventures and travel tips. In addition, if you'd like to follow me on all my social media - see the links below.
Facebook - Google+ - Twitter - Instagram - LinkedIn - ImageBrief - National Geographic

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A couple of months ago I started a new consulting gig with HBC, having been lured there by a couple of guys that I’ve worked with in my past Accenture life. Strangely, it took me only a couple of weeks and I was back into the wild and crazy ride of managing large, and complex technology programs. Although I must admit it was a tough re-initiation back into that world.

I liken it to an athlete who’s taken the summer off and just starting back with a new team. Everyone has high expectations of the “rookie”, and given the experience, knowledge and prior credentials has the pedigree to be just the player they need to be the best there is, but in the back of the existing players minds there is always a sneaking suspicion as to whether the kid will be able to hack it and come out on top...

Admittedly at times I had moments of doubt after being away from this type of work for so long, and I’m sure a bunch of you are asking why would I go back? It’s a little difficult to describe but in some ways I was missing the real head scratching, complexity that this type of work entails.

Over the past few years I’ve fallen in love with doing Sudoku, primarily because I love the way it makes me think differently to solve complex problems. Leading this current program is a bit like that except that I’m actually inside the puzzle and not on the outside looking in.

Another observation I’ve had when doing my short term management consulting projects is that companies bring contractors on to fill a specific need. Often chosen because of their

background and experience, but then limit their work to such a narrow and non-value add set of tasks that it near impossible to deliver the sort of value that’s expected.

I find being placed in a position where I can have no influence or voice to bring about the changes that are so strikingly obvious that I’m wasting everyone’s time…mine and theirs Hey, isn’t that why they brought me in in the first place?

Being a “contractor”, you’re often regarded with distrust by the long-term team members and met with an inordinate amount of passive aggressive behavior. I like to call this the “smiling assassin syndrome!” Ah, yes every organization has them…the “yes, but" crew.

Indelible Tip #1: Finding your coach Finding a mentor or coach within your consulting gig is vitally important to your success. This “insider” can help guide and coach you around the organization, pointing out the pitfalls (read - internal politics) as well as the opportunities to be successful. The criteria for choosing your coach are relatively straightforward: (1) Do they believe in you and support you? (2) Do they have personal credibility within the organization? (3) Are they action oriented and seen as successful by their peers and their team?

If you can align these three questions then you may have found a leader that can sponsor you in a meaningful way, and help coach you to deliver significant value. This relationship is a two way street though, and your support for them is equally as valuable. Fortunately in my current role with HBC I have this sort of relationship already with my ex-Accenture colleagues. It makes such a huge difference in what I'm able to bring to the table and ultimately deliver. Its awesome when you have this situation and can really add a lot of value in a short amount of time purely because you have their trust.

Indelible Tip #2: Diving In Clearly its important to understand your role, the expectations, timeline and key deliverables but just as important is the ability to have an immediate positive impact. Most organizations will give you between 45 and 90 days to find your feet, but as a contractor your timeline is significantly shortened... The way I’ve found to do this is to “roll up the sleeves and dive in” often head first. Being accountable and owning outcomes is what makes the difference between being on a team and leading a team.

Fortunately for me, my current team is all about accountability and owning outcomes, and every member of the team steps up to add value without being coaxed or asked…its so refreshing! My advice is to not sit back and wait for an invitation, but to look for ways early and often to help drive value.

Indelible Tip 3: Overlooked I realize that being action oriented and decisive in your decision-making is critical, but a couple of often-overlooked skills are observation and listening. Not that I’m saying that consultants or contractors love the sound of their own voice (well, maybe a bit!) and sometimes don’t take into account the advice or verbal and non-verbal cues that are permeating around them. I've learned over the course of my career that these two skills are a vital component of good decision making. When I coach others this is an important aspect of the amalgam of self-awareness that I stress.

Its easy to get caught up in the moment, but as a leader its vital that you are cool, calm and collected and more often than not the voice of reason. Sometimes people confuse my passion for being overly aggressive in the workplace, so I have to temper my enthusiasm and constantly look for balance…easier said than done when you’re in the heat of the moment with deadlines and competing priorities.

Actively engaging members of your team is important, and even more so for a contractor. My advice is to put others first, deliver on your promises and don’t get stressed on who gets the credit, remember your success is built collectively with others.

Remember you drive your own success...now and always!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Hanoi Posting”

A series of fictional micro-stories by Terence Wallis

Episode 51: Light at the end of the tunnel

Bill's body ached from the beatings and torture he'd endured but the worst and most humiliating thing was the stench from his faeces caked clothing which hung on his emaciated body.

He hadn't heard the footsteps nor the door as it was swung open to his cell. The first thing he felt was roughly being pulled from his stupor by yet another set of hands, mentally he immediately began to steel himself for yet another interrogation session. He'd lost count of how long he'd been held and whether it was day or night.

He tried to tune into the voices but the speed of their speech and the impact of his torture had addled his mind and so couldn't keep up. Although this time there wasn't the same shouting that usually accompanied his treatment, nor was he being roughly dragged from the room whilst enduring the constant rain of blows that usually came with it.

In fact, Bill sensed something different in the mood of the voices, and being carefully placed in a chair the hood, which had been a constant companion was slowly removed from his head. At first the light was so bright that he was momentarily blinded, after the initial disorientation had passed he eyes slowly became accustomed and noted a number of soldiers, around him.

But it was then that Phuong came to stand in front of him, grasping his hand he shook it firmly and whispered almost imperceptibly to remain silent about his treatment. Bill trusting Phuong's advice and instincts smiled warmly. "Jesus, its great to see you Phuong" Bill said trying to smile, but with his dirty and bruised face, disheveled appearance and noticeable stench was difficult for Phuong to digest while concealing his rising anger. The senior military officer motioned for a plain dressed civilian to examine Bill as he sat on the chair. The doctor checked Bill out thoroughly before reporting in quiet tones to the officer.

Phuong then helped Bill to standing and with another soldier steadying him accompanied him from his cell to a waiting ambulance in the street. The sights and pungent smells of the old quarter wafted through his nose as he lay on the gurney for the short ride to the hospital.

For the first time in what seemed like an eternity he could finally breathe again...