Steven's Choice
Page 9
Chapter Eight: A TIME FOR NEW BEGINNINGS
April 15, San Francisco, World Headquarters, Ventures International, 8:14 AM PST
One of the major lessons Steven had learned—no, he was still learning—was how new beginnings require old ways to die. When he thought about it, it made total sense.
Steven knew at a very deep level it was time for him to leave as CEO of Ventures. He had no plans to stop working, but all his inner voices were in absolute agreement that his work was elsewhere now, and it was time to leave the past and create a new future.
He and Catherine had talked about his decision this morning, before he'd left home and after some wonderful lovemaking earlier, while it was still dark. He'd discussed his idea with Mark and Chelsea before that. All had agreed that what he was planning was very risky. It could also be a huge political mistake, they'd reasoned. But it was courageous by all standards, and Steven felt pretty strongly about his decision, and his enthusiasm and passion for it were very convincing to his close-knit brain trust.
Ruth's voice came through on the intercom. “Are you ready for us, Steven?” she asked.
“Sure,” he said as he was putting away the last few things cluttering his desk top. The door opened, and Ruth walked in followed by Ventures’ Senior Vice President of Operations, Diane Bailey, Morgan Sheppard, head of all the portfolio managers worldwide, and Peter Chandra, a new addition to headquarters who'd come over from Bombay immediately after V2P was announced. Peter seemed totally aligned with the vision, and had quickly become one of Steven’s favorite management team members, serving as Ventures’ new controller.
“I've asked you to meet with me this morning to tell you that I have made a decision—a big one—and I wanted you to hear it first,” Steven said.
“I'm stepping down as CEO of Ventures…” he stopped mid-sentence, surprised by the welling up of emotion in his chest. Tears came to his eyes quickly, and he looked away for a moment. His hand came up to his face as he put his index finger under his nose and pressed his lip against his upper teeth. After a few seconds, he tried to resume.
“I have decided it is time for me to step down as the leader of this company…” Tears flowed freely, and Steven let go of any concerns about how he came across to his colleagues. “Ahem…and transfer the day-to-day running of this organization…over to someone else.” He needed to stop again and gather enough composure to continue. “I think I can best serve the company by becoming a steward for what we have birthed over these past few months. The near future will not be easy, given the stand we have taken with the V2P program,…now that we have everyone's commitment, it will take an enormous amount of will, focus, and reinforcement to avoid things going back to business as usual. Each of you knows the enormous power and influence—mostly invisible and unconscious—of the old system, and how it will want to return, much like a bungee cord or rubber band. The media, the financial markets, our competitors and vendors will all be operating in the old system and, unless we are incredibly diligent and use the utmost discernment, we could find ourselves regressing back to the old ways very quickly.
“I want to focus all my energies on being a steward for this transformation, rather than on managing the enterprise. I will work very closely with the new CEO, as sort of a ‘vice president of consciousness’ I read about once. I will serve on the Executive Committee and report to the new CEO and the Committee about how things are moving, where we might be backsliding, and other matters concerning this culture change we are going through.”
Steve paused and glanced down at his notes. He was glad he was only talking to Ruth, Diane, Peter, and Morgan right now. He knew he'd be saying this to a much larger audience soon, and repeating it dozens of times after the press got wind of it. He checked his notes and saw something else he wanted to say before he identified his successor.
“I want to assure each of you that my stepping down is a true turning over of the reins. It is not merely symbolic. My role as an Executive Committee member will be just that—as an ordinary member…well, ‘CEO Emeritus’ maybe….I will thoroughly support the new CEO as best I can, and I will continue to serve Ventures International to the best of my ability. The only difference is that I will not be the boss. I will have no staff under me. No one reporting to me. I'll be like an independent consultant, working for the Executive Committee.”
The shock started wearing off and, finally, Morgan asked, “Who can take your place, Steven? Who could possibly replace you, especially now that we've bitten off this enormous project? Who—”
Steven interrupted Morgan. “I think I know who can step into my shoes and do a fine job. This person is not a stranger. We have known each other for some time.”
“Is it your friend Mark?” asked Peter.
“No, it isn't Mark, Peter, although he'd be a fine choice if he were interested,” Steven said. “So, as I was saying, this person and I have known each other for some time. We have also worked together enough that I am absolutely convinced this person has the best interests of Ventures at heart.”
Morgan was bursting with curiosity. “Is it Colin, then?” he asked, naming the head of their Great Britain office.
“No, it isn't Colin, although he'd also be a great choice,” Steven said. “No, this person is right here in this room.”
The two men looked at each other like teenagers who'd just heard the prom queen wanted to ask one of them to be her date for the big dance. Diane looked like someone just asked her if she’s like to be the prom queen! Steven was amused. He glanced in Ruth's direction. She was still apprehensive, wondering who her new boss might be.
Ruth's mind was racing. Would she stay if Steven left this office? Would the new CEO want her, or would he bring in someone else? Was it time for her to leave Ventures after all these years? Would—Steven's laughter interrupted her mental chatterbox.
“No, no, folks. It isn't one of you. I have decided that the best person to succeed me is Ruth,” he said.
All four inhaled in surprise, and then a hush came over the room. You could hear a pin drop.
Ruth was frozen in surprise. Steven walked over next to her, took her hands in his and looked directly into her eyes. “Ruth, I cannot think of anyone better suited to take over this office than you. I cannot imagine a smoother transition in the company's leadership. You have been the closest to me through all these years. You've been with me during those moments of brilliance and those times of utter darkness. You know the ropes better than anyone else in the world. And, you have the ability and the skill to be an excellent CEO, maybe even a better one than me,” he said with a twinkle in his eyes and a broad smile.
“I plan to nominate you as my replacement at the Board meeting at the end of this month, Ruth,” he said directly to her. Then he turned to the others. “And I’d like the three of you to back me. I expect they will go along on an interim basis, knowing I’m around for consultation if needed. I’m not leaving the company, after all.”
Still stunned, Ruth asked if they could take a short break before talking any more about this. The three executives welcomed the suggestion and Ruth left the room. Diane and Morgan followed her and Peter remained is his chair, pondering the news. All this was done in complete silence.
May 3, San Bruno, Skyline Apartments, #309, midnight PST
When Jean heard about the board’s decision to confirm Ruth as interim CEO, she had jumped with joy. Not only did she like Ruth enormously, but she was thrilled Steven had named a woman as his heir apparent.
There was something poetic about this, she told herself. This man has definitely had a major transformation—a complete reinvention of who he was and how he thought of himself. She first started hearing about his process shortly after she started working at Ventures. Then she started digging for more about this man. She had occasions to visit with Ruth a few times and they developed a mentor-mentee sort of relationship. Ruth seemed to like having a young woman to take under her wing and Jean was happy to obl
ige. But the changes going on with the company’s founder fascinated her. Steven George had become her focus much like her dissertation a short time ago.
She loved everything she learned about his process and the women who were involved. There was his wife, spiritual partner and soul mate Catherine, about whom she learned much from Ruth. The tragic death of his oldest daughter Kirsten. The incredible introduction to a whole new world of self observation by his youngest daughter Chelsea. Not to mention his mother’s influence—both intentional and unintentional. Women had been major catalysts for changing Steven George and making him into the man he was today. Having Ruth as her new boss seemed just about perfect to Jean.
But she also felt enormous pride in her former boss. After all, how many men—for that matter how many people—would have risked so much? Her heart filled with admiration and respect for the man, and she silently committed herself to support the same ideals and principles Steven had introduced her to at such a young age. She was so fortunate. Gratitude and admiration swelled in her chest.
As she slipped under the sheets, Jean’s eyes were shedding a few tears. But these weren’t tears of sadness. They were tears of joy.