‘CEO’ DOE: Guilty as Charged – News Flash: How much you suffer from these unsettling times depends not only on the value of your portfolio.
Real survivors are those who are insulated by things, other than financial!
I know a man I’ll call, “John Doe.” Along with the rest of us, John is the “chief executive officer” of his own life. (He’s also a major executive in a Fortune 500 corporation, but never mind that.)
As a “CEO”, his job is to oversee all the different departments of the “John Doe Corp.” How successful he is as a person is determined in major part by how well his “organization” runs.
John says that his job is stressful and that he feels guilty when he’s not at work.
Exercise was part of his routine until a few years ago. He says he is committed to finding the time to start again soon. He explains that he’ll start up after he’s had one of those “executive physicals” he’s heard about. He says he’ll make make an appointment for the physical, after he loses 20 pounds. He’s embarrassed to be holding so much excess weight.
John says he loves to read mystery novels but can’t remember when he last read one.
He is married; he and his wife have three sons.
John says he so wants to take a vacation with his wife. He explains that “It’s been difficult in the past few years to plan anything for more than a weekend… I think it’s been years since we’ve been away on a real trip. Man, I feel guilty… Work!”
“This year, given a financial crisis in our company, it will be impossible for us to go anywhere. I hope my wife understands.
John’s oldest son is a junior in High School. Sometimes when John is alone in his office, late at night, he thinks about how much fun it would be for them to go fishing together for a couple of days. “Time is running out… he’ll be off to college soon.”
CFO Doe prides himself on having provided his family with the financial privileges associated with professional success.
Mrs. Doe, in her husband’s absence, has taken over. She is in charge of the “acquisitions and development” department of their lives along with a few other things. She gets the boys to their games and explains their father’s absences because of “very important business reasons.”
John feels guilty that he doesn’t participate more, but thinks his wife is “the best.” He even has his secretary remember to send her flowers on the first day of every month. Mrs. Doe says “Thank you,” and hates the flowers.
The John Doe Corporation is failing. It has one strong division, which in the best of times, cannot hold up all the others for very long. Now with that division being challenged, it should become clear to John that change is necessary.
News Flash! Change is inevitable. What’s up for grabs is only whether or not you plan for it.
Dr. Linda says: Forget the guilt trip, John. You’re in trouble. Call a meeting of your “stockholders,” and do what it takes to make the changes of your choice. The problem with a guilt trip, John, is locating the off ramp.
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