Jillian & Jan, this really stood out to me because budgets don't just allocate resources, they communicate meaning. Long before a new strategy is articulated, people begin interpreting where attention, legitimacy, and organizational priorities are shifting by watching where leaders invest time and money. Those spending decisions become narrative signals that employees use to answer a deeper question: "What does leadership actually value?" It makes me wonder whether financial drift is often preceded by narrative drift. By the time the numbers change, has the organization's shared understanding of what's important already begun to shift?
It depends on the organization structure for communications and whether or not they discuss financials prior to the leadership shift. Some discuss allocations of expenses where others allows the new hire to implement change, especially if past executive was unable to fulfill their duties.
New leadership means change, why? Because new leaders aren’t needed when things are going well. They are brought in to solve problems, or fill an unintended vacancy.
New leaders feel pressure to perform, and of course spending comes with it.
When bringing in a new leader, it is well worth the time (and money) to allow them to absorb the lay of the land. Let them go on a 90-day listening tour, don’t set any immediate expectations, and allow them to become part of the overall system before radically changing or spending money.
Unless there is a crisis at hand, there is time … Senior leadership needs to be patient.
Jillian & Jan, this really stood out to me because budgets don't just allocate resources, they communicate meaning. Long before a new strategy is articulated, people begin interpreting where attention, legitimacy, and organizational priorities are shifting by watching where leaders invest time and money. Those spending decisions become narrative signals that employees use to answer a deeper question: "What does leadership actually value?" It makes me wonder whether financial drift is often preceded by narrative drift. By the time the numbers change, has the organization's shared understanding of what's important already begun to shift?
It depends on the organization structure for communications and whether or not they discuss financials prior to the leadership shift. Some discuss allocations of expenses where others allows the new hire to implement change, especially if past executive was unable to fulfill their duties.
New leadership means change, why? Because new leaders aren’t needed when things are going well. They are brought in to solve problems, or fill an unintended vacancy.
New leaders feel pressure to perform, and of course spending comes with it.
When bringing in a new leader, it is well worth the time (and money) to allow them to absorb the lay of the land. Let them go on a 90-day listening tour, don’t set any immediate expectations, and allow them to become part of the overall system before radically changing or spending money.
Unless there is a crisis at hand, there is time … Senior leadership needs to be patient.