[quote=UCGal][quote=AN]
All CxO / directors were managers, but not all managers become CxO / directors. I hope you can tell the difference.[/quote]
Semi-hijack…
What’s with the CxO phenomena… I remember when you had a CEO and a Pres (often the same person)… and then you had VEEPS of finance, HR, tech, etc…
I remember when the head of R&D was called that. When the head of IT was a director or maybe a vp – but not a “chief”.
Now it’s CTO, CFO, CIO, CQO and the latest I heard – CPO: chief people officer. (HR).
Talk about title inflation.[/quote]
Because everyone wants to feel good about themselves. Also these titles are sometimes bestowed when they want to move people aside without explicitly firing them immediately.. (I’m serious). Ever heard of being promoted to a group with a larger title, but no people you manage?
Yup, that’s you’re signal you’re on the chopping block.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to get into the game of corporate politics…Learn it well, my enginerd friends…What they don’t teach you in school…..
“21 Dirty Tricks at Work: How to Win at Office Politics”
(I don’t play to win. Just play enough to make sure I don’t get screwed…You have to, because there’s always some idiot that will try to screw you)
Pay particular attention to the sections describing “death marches”…”Oh sure, we want you to manage this project in jeopardy. We know you can do this.. This is your big ticket to getting a promotion…We want you to save us…” And then they turn around and fire you, because they know almost 99% you will fail..The best time to get in to a project is when things have fallen apart and can’t get any worse. Then at that point, you look like God. Same effort, different results. Why would anyone want to have it any different? Corollary… After a very successful completion/promotion, get out of the fvcking way…Because you have a big target on your back that everyone else will be aiming for to bring you down. In other words, move when your hot, stay when your not. Just like in Real Estate, timing IS everything.
That’s where enginerds sometimes lose sight of. It’s not about the coolest technology you’re be working on (unless it’s for yourself)..It’s all about who currently holds the cards and if/when you’re the team designated to take the hit (call it the “fall/blame” team)…Not all companies are like this. Bigger ones tend to have more of these. Also government/defence co’s tend to be this way.
