Time Lapsed Orchid Example
Twelve months ago the word “Globalization” was a dark word in my vocabulary. It was a word that caused a certain amount of intimidation, discomfort and one that no one in the US wanted to talk about. While every major company in the US began to develop globalization strategies, everyone around me avoided the topic due to the implication of lost jobs.
Six months ago, I came to realize something I knew right out of school but had long forgotten due to my own complacency. This realization is that each of us is a resource to our employer. Each resource is like a commodity and has a value that can go up or down based on demand. With our skills and through our actions, we drive revenue, avoid cost or, we innovate change to these ends. If we’re not doing something to this effect, we might as well be dead weight as far as our company‘s well being is concerned. Rumors began to float around that my organization might be globalizing and my fifteen years with the company felt threatened. It was shortly after this that I received an email invitation to a required class. Something snapped in me the day I attended a bank sponsored class called “Catalyst” and realized what reaction this “Catalyst” was designed to accelerate. Our company has always asked us to be “A Champion of Change”. Some associates take this seriously, some shrug it off as another cheerleader approach to promote spirit & policy acceptance. I’ve always been someone to embrace change and find value in it. When I attended the Catalyst class I had no idea where it would lead me and the reaction it would cause in the chemical equation of my life and career. Change can be good or bad, it’s all perspective and to be honest, each of us to some degree, have the ability to influence it. If you know the sun will be out, you can stay in, you can wear protection and go out, or you can blow off your options and get burned. The choices are often clouded by complacency and a sense of entitlement or ego but the fact is, these choices still exist and we need only to recognize and embrace them to have a positive influence.
Five months ago, I flew to Dallas Texas for a managers meeting to assist in planning a reorganization and start working on small scale strategy for globalization in my team as well as my peers teams. I found myself taking the lead in the operational model between the US and India and helping define policy for how the two would work together. It was exciting and while it still felt a bit taboo, the inclusion in something of this nature broke down the layer of complacency and entitlement and began to fuel a fire. This is a fire I still feel burning today and is one of passion for change and leadership. I’ve devoted my professional career to our company and making it successful, is something I want to be associated with.
Four months ago, I “Followed the Sun”. I boarded a plane for Hyderabad India. Four months… That’s a long time isn’t it. Four months is a large chunk of time to commit every hour of your life to for anything. I chose to take a big leap of faith in my life and step outside my comfort zone into a completely foreign country and culture. I left behind my family, my wife and my kids because I am a champion. It sounds a bit silly when I say it but the fact is, a global company means more jobs and more growth. More growth means more security and better returns. Better ROI means higher stock. Higher stock means collectively, we’ve done our jobs and are being recognized by our economic critics. Globalization needs champions. It’s not an easy topic to embrace but one that, like a rising sun, is inevitable. The champions in our company will stand up, drive productivity and lead us to success.
Fourteen days from today, I will board a plane and end my assignment here in India. I will now “Lead the Sun” back to the US and bring with it a new energy and commitment to my company.
I have Followed the Sun, now let it follow me.
As we lead our company into new horizons of growth and productivity, we embark on new adventures and have the challenge to build new relationships and teams. Our business model is now global and our standards for productivity and excellence now higher. Only time and our critics in the economy will measure our success and only together can we achieve it.
I have Followed the Sun, will you?
One year with out a vacation, four months without my family and two weeks left to contemplate the work I’ve yet to accomplish and how I will transition it. I know I’ve made a difference and I know you can as well. I challenge you to be a champion.
Best Regards,
Jason
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