Yesterday got ugly. After sparring all day with board members about the poor performance of a staff member who I just decided to let go, an unexpected bombshell was dropped. I was informed they would be "looking at our options" to replace my company's services. This was after we had reviewed the failings not only of the staffer, whose illness I am convinced played a major role in nonperformance, but of certain organization representatives who contributed mightily to confusion, etc. And, it was after I explained how I would personally be involved on a day-to-day basis from here on.
When told that options would be explored and that they hoped I would submit a proposal, I responded that I would, instead, be delivering official notice of termination according to our contract. I would not, I explained, hire a replacement executive on the off-chance that they might decide to stay. I further explained that, after all of our conversations over the past few weeks and the commitments made by both parties to the other, I was dumbfounded at their about-face.
I was asked to give them some privacy for a few minutes, after which they said they would not be exploring their options, after all. Instead, we will go back to the earlier-agreed process: both sides will seek to improve processes and communications and both will monitor performance, expecting improvement.
I'll get this in writing, of course, but still have doubts. Their lead person is someone who, in my view, has an axe to grind and a personal agenda.
Today, I meet with a smaller group of them to dissect their miserably failed legislative efforts this year, efforts for which they paid far more than they paid for our services and efforts in which we had very little involvement.
All politics is personal.
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