Dear Marques

 

Dear Marques,

You’ve continued to gain a lot more knowledge of leadership, the foundational approaches using different aspects from the elements of theories, and a profound appreciation for senior leaders. The question before you today is – what will you do to get back to the mountain top?

Your Personal Vision

You’ve stated that your personal vision is “to be happy as much as possible” (Thomey, 2021, p. 2). We both know that you were at your best when you were happiest. Whether on the mountain top or not, you brought out the best in yourself when you were happy. You need to find a way to get back to that place so everything else can fall into place.

Three Learning Goals

In order to accomplish your personal vision, you must establish three learning goals with milestones so that you have a plan and a pathway for getting this done. Your first goal should be to reengage with the Dale Carnegie group for continuing education classes. I know you found this group to have a transformational change over you, so it would make sense to get back into the group that helped open your eyes to how you could be your best self on the mountain top. Your second goal should be to build back the relationships you have, or once had so that important and influential people are on your side. After you get back to the place you’re the happiest and most effective, you need to establish, or reestablish the great relationships you’ve had around you. Your third goal needs to address your performance, or lack thereof. In order to become a senior leader, you need to address the work that must be improved so that you can show others and the organization, how important you are to the team.

Three Milestone Goals and Plans

These goals will be difficult, but if you follow the established plan, I believe you can accomplish anything. The first milestone goal to address your happiness should be to take and then graduate from the next Dale Carnegie class. We both know you excelled at the last class you took, so it’s a no-brainer that you should take another class, and graduate. The plan is to approach your boss for approval to take the class, considering work will pay for it. The second milestone goal should be focused on how you interact with those around you. The goal itself – to reengage in the relationships to get others back on your side – should be on the front of your mind at nearly every turn. The plan is to win back these friends, colleagues and coworkers to prove to them you’re the person you were before the COVID pandemic. You can accomplish this by accomplishing your first milestone goal of being happy. The third milestone goal needs to be centered around getting the CEO and COO more comfortable with your decision-making. You can accomplish this by doubling your efforts to stay focused and rid yourself of all the additional tasks in your life that aren’t a priority. You need more time, so quit the City Commission, don’t sign up for another evening softball league, and stop trying to get every advanced degree out there. Free up more time to focus on your work so that your performance returns.

Key Supporters

Your key supporters should include your family, your best friends, your mentor, and your spirit guide. Each of these will give you an opportunity to put your best game face on, give you the motivation to put you over the hump, and help you accomplish your goals. I know you can do this, Marques. Get it done.

References

Thomey, M. (2021). My Personal Vision. Unpublished. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.