Although flattered and excited about the opportunity that the upcoming promotion to CEO within my organization represented, I also recognized that there were four significant challenges that I would face in the role that would determine my overall success:
- managing the exit of both the Company’s Chairman and existing CEO
- migrating three independent business units into one seamless operating entity
- transitioning the management structure of the organisation from a traditional hierarchy with a small business mentality to one of a more collaborative global corporation
- reinventing the vision for the Company and implementing this during a period of global economic recession.
To say I was overwhelmed and unsure of exactly where to start is an understatement. Having recently completed a leadership-training course to help prepare myself for my first CEO role, I was filled with new knowledge but was struggling with how to practically apply it.
My program with nLIVEn acted as a filter, think tank and boot camp for the task ahead. With the help of my Professional Partner I was able to download all that I knew, which allowed me to clear my head and take a step back, evaluate my experience and gathered knowledge, assess its relevance to the situation and then develop a structured framework and vision to begin writing the next chapter of the Company’s history.
This preparation was invaluable and allowed me to approach these challenges in a confident and relaxed manner.
To date the Company has survived the exit of its two previous leaders and is smoothly transiting into its next era, including an office move into our own purpose built facility. I have received exceptionally positive responses from the Board and now have their full support in rolling out my vision for the company. My staff share and own the revitalised vision for the company. Instead of being dictated to they are motivated and productivity has accelerated. Instead of being a daunting experience, I am truly deriving so much satisfaction from reinventing this reputable company from the ground up.
As a result of my experience in the Professional Partnership Program I can honestly say that I have learned how to be a better advisor to myself, a skill that will assist me not only in the immediate term, but well into the future.
Thank you Glenn & the team at nLIVEn.
Matthew Chun, CEO, Becton Ltd
