Is anyone aware of any lay-offs in IT yet? If so, what area(s)?
13 replies (most recent on top)
Loyalty is a new way of thinking for people in Nike Tech. In the past, the mentality is something along the lines of "Survivor."
Loyalty and focused, hard work weren't rewarded. Only the knowledge of how to stab people in the back.
Right move by RL.
VA was caught between trying to survive all the changes and protecting her business connection that ultimately she saw as her lifeline.
It worked for a long time. But when she needed to change the plan and adapt she couldn’t. She could be both very nice directly and really sh–ty in that Nike passive aggressive way.
RL is first about loyalty. It is no accident that VA, SP, HN(H) and DK were the four to go. JB kissed the ring and is made it.
Also the SP replacement is not a threat to RL who doesn’t like threats.
RL made good calls here despite my belief in the core reasons why.
@5nj: LOL!!! Good one!
Can I stop carrying around VAs priority cards? Asking for a friend.
VA was clearly very competent but lacked the confidence to let her competencies shine. Allowing the men in the organization to undermine her and crying over a glass of wine to a junior manager because interns weren't paying attention to a presentation is lack of confidence.
I never got the sense that VA lacked confidence. Is it possible that you're equating humility with lack of confidence? Confidence doesn't equate to competence:
https://ideas.ted.com/why-do-so-many-incompetent-men-become-leaders-and-what-can-we-do-about-it/
@2iip: The difference between VA and JB is JB has vision and confidence. VP's should be visionaries, connecting to overall corporate vision/strategy. He just needs to find a good strategist, stand behind that person, and build a plan that identifies a way forward and then stick to the plan. Which doesn't include bringing in a lot of Sr. Directors/Directors that just s—s up his budget and muddles everything up nor a bunch of consultants...hire someone who is a true strategist and let them do their job. I can think of few still at Tech and a few that have left. Also, he has to stop trying to be everyone's friend but develop himself as a respected leader that lays down the hammer when sh*t doesn't get done, but in a politically correct way. ;-)
There are so many people at Nike Tech that are good 'ol buddies who continue to get promoted but don't really understand/know how to develop and execute-to-completion a strategy. But that is Nike's culture, shiny object. How do you execute a 3-5 year strategy when the senior leaders (Sr. Directors) squirrel every few months or don't know what to do and their egos won't let them ask for help? Or if one of them doesn't get their way they throw a temper tantrum and bad mouths the project until it dies?
Good luck to you and I truly hope it all works out.
@2kc Thank you for the response. Sad but interesting. Now if we could only do something about JB...
@2suz+: Maybe in her dreams. Here are a few:
- Lack of personal self confidence that infringed on business confidence, that impacted leadership ability. Could have been a strong role model for women but the lack of self confidence and pandering to the opposite gender lost that audience.
- Inability to create consistent vision and thus a strategy to move the organization forward.
- Inability to accept accountability for adverse decisions or sometimes even think for herself thus deferring or deflecting proper decision making.
- Promoted a "bullying" atmosphere, not tackling bad management within the organization. Or maybe cowering to people who promoted a "bullying" atmosphere.
It truly is unfortunate because VA could have been a very respected leader had there been an inkling of self confidence.
VA was one of the most well respected VPs in Tech. I would definitely be interested in hearing why you feel otherwise...
The "departure" of VA was a win for Tech.
Prior to the departure of some IT VPs, remember that tech did away with 95 ETWs and shuffled from FTEs around. No layoffs have yet happened, below the VPs. That is not to say that Tech will not be impacted though the impact will be less than other areas.
Sorry, should have qualified, below the VP-level