Where to find a great second-in-command

Dear Bob …

So, how do visionaries find seconds-in-command or generals (“Jung at heart,” Keep the Joint Running, 9/24/2007)?

I’ve been the “visionary” at two of the companies I’ve co-founded, but I haven’t been able to find someone I’m “in sync” with for the last several years… and I need the engagement, feedback and discipline that a good partner provides.

– Seeing things

Dear Seeing …

The starting point is remembering something my pappy once told me: There are only two times partners fight – when they’re making money and when they’re losing money.

Having a partner is tough. Making a partnership work requires two rare circumstances. First, the partners have to complement each others’ skills rather than duplicate them; and second, each has to appreciate what the other brings to the party instead of figuring their own strengths are more important. Often, being in sync really means you think alike – exactly what you don’t need.

If you’ve been looking to your partners to provide the generalship, ask yourself whether your partners were suited to the role, and whether you properly appreciated what the General’s role provides. And whether your partners appreciated what you brought to the party.

Here’s something else to keep in mind: For every hour you spend developing a visionary idea, the organization will need between 100 and 10,000 hours of effort to turn it into reality – more if it’s a really big, visionary idea. Some Visionaries figure their sole responsibility is coming up with new, great ideas.

That isn’t the case – to be a successful Visionary you need to come up with one big idea, develop it and flesh it out, and spend most of your time selling it, both inside the company and outside – to prospective customers, venture capitalists and whoever.

One other point: Many Visionaries don’t really appreciate someone else telling them, “It looks good on the PowerPoint but it won’t work. Here’s why.” Part of the General’s role is to help you recognize which battles you can win and which ones you can’t.

Having said all of that, the best way to find a General is to recruit one. What you really need, I’m guessing, is a Chief Operating Officer to complement your vision and strategic thinking. COOs are more Builders than Generals. I’m guessing that’s what you need – someone who can build a company that can deliver what you can envision.

As to where you find them … as with all recruiting, it’s a matter of building your personal network and beating the bushes to find the right person.

– Bob

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