Since May my company and team have seen very drastic changes in head count, workload, and scope of work.  As much as everyone is trying to pretend and make the most of it the impact of these changes has been major.  We lost 2 of our great leaders due to layoffs. In different time frames and for different reasons but we lost 2 of our major players.  The team is feeling the struggle 3-5 months post layoffs.  Work, for me, has started to feel like I am navigating with a map or without a north star.

As for the people that are no longer here, they had a great impact on the work I was doing even if I the time I did not realize it.  They both took pride in their projects, they believed in their people, and they fought for what they believed in.  No matter how big/small or important their projects were they always give 101%.  They supported the people that worked alongside them, and they were shields for their people.  No matter what.

Once they left, I felt unprotected.  In addition to the work I was assigned, I also had to fight for my projects, explain and over-explain their importance.  I had to deal with the noise.  There has been a negative outcome decreasing the quality of my work product.  I’ve had to deal with a 25% increase in emails and 40% of additional meetings that become irrelevant to the work I need to complete.

One of the leaders was a Visionary and the other a Driver.  According to the CQ Model and Change Leader Styles from Barbara A. Trautlein, PHD.  Visionaries look forward to an inspiring future, thanks to their Head focus.  Drivers are strong on both Head and Hands, envisioning an enticing future and using their exceptional abilities to move forward.  They were both exceptional in their own styles.  Respected and given challenging opportunities to leader their teams.

One of the things I’ve learned from their departure is that the team needs someone to step up and take the lead on focusing on the future.  Without a road map or a destination, the execution does not feel as satisfying.  We are all just completing tasks and hoping that we don’t have to undo them in 2 months.  Today I feel like I am doing throwaway work until we have a defined destination.

I worked very closely with the Driver, I considered them a mentor and looked up to them.  3 days after the Driver left, I was told I was not ready to fill those shoes.  I didn’t disagree as I had been in this role a short amount of time.  I didn’t take it personally.  It pushed me to go back to school and encouraged me to demonstrate I am capable at some capacity.  There was additional discussion about partnering with someone and how we could both divide the Driver’s responsibilities.  5 months ago, I left that conversation thinking “Wow, I am glad we are on the right track.”