An employee takes the VSP and 3 months later publishes a book titled, "Surrounded by Insanity: How to Execute Bad Decisions".
15 replies (most recent on top)
I think we all could write a book, Steven King would have some competition. Network side was truest that bad. We’d pull off some dr strange rabbits out of holes just to run over by the bus. They’re screwed now but it may take another’s year until the public catches on.
“So I went and sat down and I just, I couldn’t believe it. I just looked around for confirmation. Surely someone else saw that this was a bad idea. This project was not going to work, and they didn’t. And for some reason we still had to do it.”
It’s because the other 39 execs are probably just as clueless. As a former network planning person I can tell you that the “stupid idea” ratio at the wireless network planning level used to be maybe 1:10...and that was usually someone just spitballing. Those ideas would usually be vetted by healthy peer challenge before being considered for budget. Now that ratio is more like 8:10... most of the rockstars in wireless who would normally challenge are gone..the rest are either stupid or paralyzed with fear. Hopefully Vz 3.0 makes more sense for those remaining.
Before leaving I reported to a completely incompetent wireless network manager who’s SOLE and COMPLETE focus was to not get yelled at in his directors weekly staff meeting (this person actually admitted this to me in a meeting....amazing). Manager was eventually walked out the door for antitrust violations. Cronyism completely rules the roost in wireless network. He was buddies with our director and the director was buddies with his boss who both came from a legacy/acquisition business unit. Happy to now be working for an organization with REAL leaders that respect and value their teams.
To Hans and Kyle J. -
Lots of housekeeping left to do if you truly want Vz 2.0 to be successful.
I read the book and even though I am not a manager, it did provide good advice about navigating through bad decisions. The chapter on how to manage your manager made the most sense to me.
I am a craft person and after reading the first 4 or 5 pages have decided I need to buy this book. Not that I will ever be in management but he probably has some lessons there that I can use in other aspects of my career and my life.
I listened to an interview with the author on a podcast. It's pretty good. definitely reflects my time at Verizon!
https://www.authorhour.co/surrounded-by-insanity-donald-meador/
Dilbert 2.0
I bought the book it is definitely worth a read. It’s amazing so many of us survived for so long. That’s what most of my life was like surviving bad decisions by so called leadership.
Right on. Director and above all about yes people . I am a director and was told to go along to get along . Direct quote from IT VP. What a joke
I will write the chapter about HQ Finance which is totally dysfunctional.
Oh the stories that can be told from our experiences with VZ "leadership"! Some of the things and complete incompetence that was tolerated for years from a specific sales leader were almost beyond comprehension, had my team and I not experienced them first hand.
Fortunately she recently volunteered for and received the VSP herself, .and walked out with an incredible package, after being completely disengaged and almost invisible from any direct customer engagement, team meetings, calls, etc. for month after month, other than the weekly leadership staff call, where she was continuously exposed for not knowing details of her teams sales pursuits, engagements and key initiatives.
Would love to write a book as well to share these and other stories, but interested how this author was able to do so after signing the companies severance agreement? In doing a quick scan of his book online, I'm wondering if he simply referenced key stories and experiences without directly naming the company and key individuals.
I researched the book and the author. I hope the book makes him millions because it tells a story that needs to be told. I also had some of the same experiences he did in meetings and meeting unnecessary demands for info in PowerPoint from bosses.
Leadership at VZ is so dysfunctional and no true leaders there willing to speak out. Most try to keep their head down and get along whilst collecting their bonuses and paychecks. The rot starts all the way from the top. People managing things that they don’t bother to understand. Spouting platitudes/cliches or the latest buzzwords and thinking this counts for leadership. Noone is willing to tell the Emperor/s that he has no clothes”. Noone is willing to have those tough conversations.
Too bad they left the company. I imagine this could turn into a multi part series.