BEING THE NEW CEO- PART 2 (THE FIRST MEETING)

Now you are the CEO, you decide whether this will be trouble for you, or another feather to your cap. A lot of people usually allow their over excitement to destroy their future in the new position of CEO. I usually advice my clients not to hurry into calling a meeting upon appointment; that is dangerous! You need to take time to allow the over excitement wear out, especially if the appointment or promotion is a long expected one. The problem with entering your first meeting with your team or staff still overexcited is that you might make a lot of mistakes that will cost you that position; over excitement kills at times.

To help you make the better of your first meeting, I have these tips.

DON’T DO.

• · Don’t let them measure you:

People can determine your worth, or weight from the words you say, don’t give them that privilege sir; don’t give them that privilege ma; not on the first meeting you are having with them, no, please, not on the first meeting. A leader that will succeed must first of all seek to understand his team, before he seeks to be understood. In your first meeting, the team should do more of the talking. Don’t go into that meeting telling them about yourself and how you want things to be done. You will need to do that ok, but not on the first meeting. To achieve this, you need to keep the meeting short: be introduced and have everyone introduce themselves, then they can share their experiences working in that organization. Period

• ·         Don’t talk about change first:

Change is scary at first, so don’t try to sell them the idea or your dream of changing things in the first meeting. Oh my dear friend, please don’t.  You need to make them feel relaxed on your first meeting. It is better to make them know that you are willing to learn from them and work with them. That is how to make a success out of your first staff or team meeting

• ·         Don’t sell yourself cheaply:

First impressions matter, but first impressions don’t have to be made on your first meeting. By avoiding making impressions on your first meeting, you maintain a level of unpredictability, which is sometimes good for you as the new CEO to buy you enough time to settle down and at the same time, not lose value or respect of your team. Some people in their first meeting, try to make good impressions on their team or staff, make promises that they cannot keep, and setting goals they cannot achieve, which mars their integrity, thereby leaving a negative impression in the minds of their team or staff eventually.

"first impressions matter, but they do not necessarily have to be made in the first meeting" 

DO

• ·         Appreciate

Appreciate the team or staff; let them know that you see your new position as a privilege and not a right or a proof of your expertise. Thank everyone and don’t make anyone feel less appreciate than another, even if you have worked in that organization before and you know a couple of exceptionally brilliant folks in your team.

• ·         Accept their contributions

Don’t misunderstand me, I didn’t say you should carry out all their contributions, I said you should accept them. Do not discard any suggestion or contribution in your first meeting, let them know you have accepted it and will consider.

• ·         Fix another meeting not very close to the first one

Because you did not tell them about what you want to achieve on the first meeting does not mean you should call another one the next day. See, whatever must last and have good effect must not be done hurriedly. Take time, schedule your next meeting for a time when you are sure that you must have understood what team or staff members said at the first meeting, and when you have fine-tuned your agenda for the organization.

Apart from these things you need to look out for, holding an excellent first meeting is not difficult but it is important to the results you get in your following days in that organization.

Author: OKUAZUN, Gideon Jayeola.brooksdaniels.com