Letting go of control can be difficult at first

Q: I am accustomed to having a lot of control in my job, calling the shots and setting direction. It ensures that things are done correctly. However, we now have a new CEO who is changing the expectation so that we have more flexibility as a company. I’m not sure I agree with her and am really struggling to adapt. What should I do?

A: While it may be tough, this could be your chance to stretch yourself as a leader.

Imagine that she is right. What if it will require a flexible new approach for your company to flourish?

Envision the outcomes that might result if you were to make dramatic moves forward.

Think big, and use your imagination to create a vision, even if you think it’s unrealistic. Or, if the CEO has already outlined her vision, bring it to life in your mind.

Then consider the conditions needed for this to occur. If you were starting from scratch, what people, processes and technology would you employ to create the desired outcome?

When you contrast this to the current situation, what differences do you notice? There is likely a substantial gap, which is triggering the CEO’s call for change.

In your situation, it sounds like it’s not just a matter of changing what you do; it’s also about your overall style as a manager.

The first thing you need to do is to determine if you are willing to change. In blunt terms, if you disagree with the CEO and are not going along with her program, you are likely on your way out. In that case, take control of your own future and begin to plan your exit strategy.

If you are willing to try a new approach, adaptation is certainly possible.

List the leadership characteristics needed to succeed in the new environment. If you don’t know, have conversations about it. It will also help you guide your direct reports as they learn to navigate in the new environment. Notes: Weekly volume as a percentage of company’s total outstanding volume. Not available. Not calculable. Not meaningful — avg. P-E exceeds 100. Loss this year, earnings last year. Loss both years. - Net for 12 Mos gives the company’s per-share income or loss for the last 12-month period reported. Ind Yld% (indicated yield) is quarterly dividend multiplied by four and divided by closing price.