Professional Kill Switches
(Originally posted December 16, 2020, at my LinkedIn.) Over time, a professional who serves clients and companies in a consulting or advising capacity will need constant energy and momentum...
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Over time, a professional who serves clients and companies in a consulting or advising capacity will need constant energy and momentum to stay engaged and trustful. Whenever a consultant or advisor to a company decides to politely resign - or run away fast as possible - you can be sure that more than one "professional kill switch" has been flipped.
The love that I have for the projects I take-on, is only secondary for the respect that I have for those founding the projects. Whether I have been hired as a paid consultant, or have agreed to advise as part of a team, I have learned there is never a guarantee that all will go as planned. Anymore, I never expect a perfect experience.
Looking inward, I am confident to share that I have not taken one "job" in the past two years that I did not truly want to be a part of. But, as an individual who has been doing project-based work for many years, I have learned that there are several "kill switches" that can be flipped during a professional relationship that REALLY dissuade me from wanting to be involved. More on that in a moment.
Being hired as a consultant, or coming on as a shareholder and advisor, is a very serious matter. Beyond "getting along" and "sharing the vision", there are a full list of expectations that each party lays out according to each party's needs. Indeed, just to be a "team player", I have often taken on responsibilities that are not part of my "job description". And, having smelled the insides of rotten leadership pods, and having seen (so many!) dysfunctional business plans, I have often wondered why there is not more emphasis placed on documenting requirements to achieve quality of relationships?
But, within the past month, I have decided to end my suffering at the hands of two clients that kept flipping my "kill switches" without much care or compassion. In one instance, I was hired as a writer and responsible for re-formatting a company's investor pitch deck. In the other instance, I was an advisor engaged as part of a team to guide a new CEO to find investment. In both cases, only several weeks in, I bailed.
I am a patient person. Coming to these decisions to quit a project or team is not one that I take lightly. But truly, unless a decision maker can avoid certain (common!) behaviors and outcomes, as consultant or advisor, I will most likely leave before the project is complete. My intention in sharing the list of "kill switches" below is to provide insights for those who believe that hiring a consultant or taking on an advisor is the right move for them.
The following list is based on examples of my own experiences, and written in the "first person" point-of-view; as if speaking to an executive who may wish to know my thoughts from this perspective.
Top 10 Professional Relationship "Kill Switches":
Lack of information: Hiring me as a new third-party set of eyes and ears does not mean you can assume I know what you know. Sending and sharing insights to help me succeed is in your best interest.
Lack of communication: From setting up meetings that you do not attend, to pushing back timelines for your own responses, diminutive or slow communication is going to tank our relationship.
Lack of transparency: Sometimes I am not allowed to know everything about a company's plans or product. But, whenever an overworked executive puts up an energetic wall that affects mutual understanding, I see it as a form of project sabotage (on your part).
Lack of follow-through: In my observation, following through on project tasks is akin to giving one's word. When either of us are unable to complete tasks in a timeline manner, work quality is affected, and our timeline becomes compromised.
Lack of meetings: Life in the office is no more, and we are all at-home or in our studio offices, making magic happen. Meetings are critical for us to maintain our momentum because this is the space we hold each other accountable and celebrate our successes.
Lack of respect: I expect that we treat each other as precious assets to a project and mission. When you do not ever once say, "Thank You", "Please", or "I apologize", especially if appropriate, it is as if negative message has been sent.
Lack of feedback: I can go the distance and impress you with my own initiative. But, when you provide timely feedback and explain the reasons for your preferences, I will likely be able to produce the outcome you wish to see. Without your imprints and commitment to providing regular constructive feedback, my work is caught in an echo chamber.
Lack of leadership: Training to become a true leader in one's field requires decades of practice. When you show professional kindness, personal humility, and call for open-minded collaboration, I am able to build on my own past training and successes to meet you at the top.
Lack of support: From the perspective of a laser-focused service provider, your overt support of my role is appreciated. Showing me that you do not care about what I am doing, or not bothering to understand why I am doing it, undermines my enthusiasm for your being and projects.
Lack of ethics: The top ethical complaints that consultants and advisors will have, first includes points #1-9 above. Additionally, if you are not telling the whole truth, if you are throwing me under the bus to cover your own mistakes, and when you are rude to me or others in front of me, I view you as a liability to my career and spirit. And, will show myself out the next chance I get.
In my opinion there is a growing number of executives who have mental and physical illnesses that are never addressed. People are scared of working with these personalities and fear retribution. (And sometimes, rightfully so!) But, while crooks, thieves, liars, incapable narcissists, and flat-out abusive executives seem to rule the world, they are obviously not at-peace with their lives and decision-making abilities. These are the exception and not the rule.
So, for those of us still connected or working together, I am most grateful for the quality of relationship that we share. And, I look forward to a prosperous 2021 for us! Thank you for reading.