Each year, hundreds of business executives find themselves in the crosshairs of outplacement. Some are being replaced due to lack of financial performance. Others due to a lack of strategic direction, cultural fit, and from time to time, reasons related to ethical and moral concerns. Quite often, these events turn into a media fiasco. Just mention the name Mark Hurd (H-P) or Tony Hayward (BP), guess what happens. You’re likely to have a strong emotional reaction to them as an individual and as a leader.
Guess what? It wasn’t always that way. In fact, months prior to being placed on the “crosshairs of failure,”more often than not, these individuals were being praised for their leadership acumen, their business insights and strong stewardship capabilities. They were the future, and being treated accordingly. However once the shoe fell, everything good was displaced. The list of accolades, forgotten. The awards, dismissed. The strong words of praise, erased. Everything feels and appears different.
Needless to say, such events are messy situations, with everyone focused on covering their perverbial A**. And in this whirlwind, emerges the The Good, The Bad & The Ugly as relates to forced outplacement of key executives.
Tags: executive outplacement
