Listening to a YouTube video about RVing, boondocking etc, and the guy said “Don’t be a jerk. Leave the campsite better than you found it.”
I would like to send the same message to our new CEO, Charlie Scharf. CHARLIE, DON’T BE A JERK. LEAVE WELLS FARGO BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT.
Even if I give you the benefit of the doubt: Let’s say you are prioritizing and have made your #1 and #2 goals to bring in your own team and cut headcount by 25%. You still have 75% of the employees who want to hear from you, who want to know your vision for the company, who want to be inspired and led by you.
I’m not a PR pro, and I’m not getting paid $36,000,000, but I think you could put out a statement or a video similar to something like this: “I have been hired to make some difficult choices in the coming year(s) regarding cutting expenses. This will, unfortunately, result in a reduction of jobs. I wish this wasn’t our reality, but I want to assure you that I am exploring and implementing other responsible cost-reductions as well. There are some elements that I can not share at this time, but I will be as thoughtful and transparent as possible. I am committed to showing compassion and respect for our transitioning employees through severance packages and Outplacement Services etc. For those who stay, I am excited for our future. We are going to turn the banking industry on it’s ear, investing in technology and empowering our employees to better serve our customers. My vision for the future Wells Fargo is ......”
I don’t want to hear any bs or false promises, but I do want to hear an honest, thoughtful and genuine message from you, our new CEO. I want to hear the truth. Show us that you can be a strategic businessman and a human being at the same time. Based on your first year, I am concerned you are just an overpaid hired gun who’s going to chop us up and leave the employees and the shareholders reeling. Show us you can be more than just a One Trick Pony. It doesn’t seem all that terribly difficult or time consuming. I know you are busy and have only had a year at the helm, but you have collected a $36,000,000 paycheck. For that kind of money, I would think you should be working day and night. And be multi-tasking. Maybe you could Google “How to Lead and Rally a Company through a Lay-off” to get some ideas?
A good CEO brings people together during the difficult times. A good CEO recognizes the emotional toll mass layoffs have on employees, and seeks to address and reassure his employees that better times are on the way. A brave CEO tells the truth. A smart CEO can steer a company through layoffs with compassion and integrity, while at the same time motivating the organization to create a healthy growing company which provides long-term shareholder value.
An excellent CEO will leave Wells Fargo better than he found it.