As Chief Talent Officer I shall be overseeing this program, which is code-named Project ABC, and which will sort our coworkers into three grades—A, B and C. This sorting will be done in a scientific, highly objective way that will assess each individual against target behaviors. Phase One will commence this week, and will consist in designing a customized Matrix of Key Behaviors. Further details on the intranet site.
Keith
From: Martin Lukes
To: Keith Buxton
Hi Keith!
Great to hear from you! Yes, I’d be only too delighted. I have lots of ideas about our target behaviors, but will of course make the consultative process here as inclusive as possible. Needless to say, I am 110 percent behind this initiative.
All my very bestest,
Martin
From: Martin Lukes
To: Jenny Withers
Darling—Keith’s asked me to head up the Key Behaviors Task Force in London!!!! It’s incredibly visible—a huge break for me. I must have really impressed Malone last month after all.
M xx
From: Martin Lukes
To: Stewart@harleystreetclinic
Dear Dr. Stewart
I am due to go to the US next week on mission critical business. As you know my colonoscopy is scheduled for next Wednesday. Could you arrange for it to be moved forward to the tail end (no pun intended!!) of this week?
Yours sincerely
Martin Lukes
From: Martin Lukes
To: Jenny Withers
Darling—Just got v cryptic msg from Stewart. For what it’s worth, he says it doesn’t matter if I postpone the colonoscopy for three and a half weeks. I suppose he thinks I’m toast anyway. They are unbelievably casual, these doctors. If I was that slack I would have been struck off years ago …
M x
APRIL 8
From: Martin Lukes
To: Behaviors Focus Group
Hi, Suzanna, Matt, Graham and Nigel
Thank you for agreeing to join me on the Key Behaviors Task Force. Ahead of the first session in my office tomorrow at 10am I’d like each of you to think of the six behaviors that you personally think are the key drivers for every individual in the a-b glöbâl family to ensure that we as a company excel at every point in the value chain. It should be a highly stimulating session. See you tomorrow.
Martin
APRIL 9
From: Martin Lukes
To: All Staff
Hi Everybody
The Key Behaviors Focus Group had its first meeting yesterday and surfaced many innovative ideas. So far we have identified the following target Behaviors: Courage, Citizenship, Playfulness, Wisdom, Win-win Headset, and Hi-trust. I think you will agree that this has been an outstanding start. Now it’s over to you—we want to hear your views!
My best, Martin
From: Jenny Withers
To: All Staff
With my Communications hat on, I’d like to suggest we present each behavior as a personal statement: “I am courageous,” “I am a good citizen,” “I am playful.” That way we align them more closely with the values of each individual coworker.
Best, Jenny
From: Christo Weinberg
To: All Staff
Hi!
I think we can kick this baby up a notch. What we are doing is creating riffs which we all play together. This isn’t about “I.” It’s about “we.” “I” is a feeble solo, “we” is a monster big band jamming session. If we say “WE are good citizens,” “WE are playful,” then that creates an inclusive formula we can all feel passionate about!
Cheers, Christo
From: Suzanna Elliott
To: All Staff
Hi!! What about making the behaviors all begin with the same letter? It would help us create a really powerful behaviors brand. Two of them already begin with C, so we could convert all the others to C words. Instead of “win-win headset” we could have “can-do headset.” Instead of “wisdom,” “cleverness.” And instead of playfulness we could have “clowning.” I know it’s a bit outrageous, but you can’t accuse me of thinking inside the box!!!
Suze
From: Martin Lukes
To: Suzanna Elliott
Suze—you’re a STAR!! That is brilliant, really creative. Just been thinking about this, and it has given me a breakthrough idea: given the quality of your work, I’d like you to clear your calendar and come with me to Atlanta next week for the big presentation.
M
APRIL 12
From: Pandora@CoachworX!
To: Martin Lukes
Hi Martin
Now you know where your negative energy is, you are ready to start managing it. One easy win is to look at the words you use that drain your energy—Killer. Bad. Worse. Life Sentence. Awful.
These words are all about pain. And pain has no place in your life.
Don’t say you’re exhausted. Say you’re RECHARGING. Don’t say you’re snowed under—say that you’re IN DEMAND or that you’re STRETCHING. See the difference? Don’t say I hate. Say I PREFER. Don’t say failure, say LEARNING. Don’t say sick, say CLEANSING. Don’t say oh shit! Say OH POO! Don’t say angry … say A LITTLE BIT CONCERNED!
When you are dealing with the people who sap your energy it is vital to use these empowering words. Try it for a day or two, and tell me about the difference!
Strive and thrive!
Pandora
From: Roger Wright
To: All Staff
I fear inadequate consideration has been given to the metrics of the matrix. These behaviors are intended to be the subject of objective measurement. I cannot see which metrics would be used to measure “playfulness.” Neither do I see how this is a useful addition to our global behaviors set.
Roger Wright, Acting Chairman
From: Martin Lukes
To: Roger Wright
Roger—Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. Can I make a small point? This behaviors matrix is about change, changing behavior from the negative to the positive. Negative words like “fear” and “cannot” have no place in the debate!
All my very bestest
Martin
APRIL 14
From: Martin Lukes
To: All Staff
Hello everybody
I am delighted to say that the Key Behaviors Focus Group has completed its work and I am now in a position to offer you a preview of the behaviors matrix before I unveil it in Atlanta next week. After much highly inclusive debate we have decided on six positive behaviors that define us at a-b glöbâl UK.
Why CONVERSATION? Because this is how we touch each other’s souls.
Why CONNECTIVITY? Because no man is an island. We are teams that connect with each other.
Why CRAZINESS? Because without a bit of craziness we would be the same as everyone else.
Why CARING? Because we are global citizens who love each other and the communities we serve.
Why COACHING? Because this is how we nurture each other and pass on our key learnings.
Why CREATIVITY? Because without this we could never change our DNA.
You will notice that the behaviors begin with the same first letter, which gives them a powerful internal brand. I would like to thank my team for going the extra mile to reach what I am sure you will agree is truly a caring, creative and crazy matrix!
All my very bestest
Martin
APRIL 15
From: Martin Lukes
To: Keri Tartt
Hi Keri—Can you get the travel arrangements for Suzanna and myself sorted asap? We need to leave mid-morning Thursday. Plse check that British Airways has beds in Business Class on its 747s—I want the window seat in the bubble. In Atlanta, plse book us into the W. Preferably a suite for myself.
Ta muchly, Martin
From: Martin Lukes
To: Jenny Withers
Jens—I DID tell you I’m leaving on Thursday—you weren’t listening. Yes, I do rea
lize Jake will be home for Easter. What do you expect me to do about it—tell Keith I can’t come because I need to make my delinquent 15-year-old son study for his GCSEs?
And yes, Suzanna is coming with me. The only reason I didn’t mention it to you was because you’ve shown no interest whatsoever in this trip. Suze has done a better than excellent job on the focus group, and I really don’t see what yr problem is … You’re always moaning about the glass ceiling and how women don’t get a chance in this company.
Love you
M
APRIL 17
From: Martin Lukes
To: Phyllis Lukes
Dearest Mum
Sorry I haven’t been in touch for a bit, but I’ve had a blow on the health front recently. Long story short, it seems very likely I have bowel cancer.
Don’t know what the prognosis is, my strategy for dealing with it is to be very honest about it, and to keep on absolutely as normal. Did I tell you that Pandora is very knowledgeable on matters cancerous, having had a brush with it herself? She say’s its all about balancing the positive and negative energies, which makes a lot of sense when you think about it.
Am off to Atlanta on important business tomorrow so fraid I won’t be able to come down at the weekend to help prune the shrubs. Will see you when I’m back.
Try not to worry too much.
Your loving son
Martin
APRIL 19
From: Martin Lukes
To: Keri Tartt
Keri—travel department has booked us into the HOLIDAY INN!! I am a director of this company and traveling on the most important business. Tell them to upgrade my hotel to the W. This is absolutely bloody typical.
M
APRIL 20
From: Martin Lukes
To: Jenny Withers
Darling—Plane delayed three hours at Heathrow … I’m totally shattered. Or, as Pandora would have me say, I’m recharging.
There’s been a massive cock-up over hotels—everyone else is staying at the Holiday Inn, and no one told me. Suzanna and I are in the W, miles away from the action. Trust all OK at home. I had an e-mail from Max asking me for help with his algebra paper for Common Entrance—told him I’m a bit up against it. Can’t you do it?
M xx
From: Keith Buxton
To: UPBOB
Hello everyone! Let me say how delighted I am to see so many of you from so many different geographies gathered here for the Project Uplift Brainstorm on Behaviors (UPBOB).
Tomorrow we kick off with a pre-breakfast Show and Tell, and I will be asking each of you to share with us something personal about what the key behaviors mean to you. You will notice that the walls of the meeting room are draped in brown paper. During all sessions, I’d like you to write any thoughts you may have on the walls. Whatever comes into your minds, write it down! It’s going to be a lot of fun!
Keith
APRIL 21
From: Martin Lukes
To: Jenny Withers
Darling—just got yr message. Jake’s totally out of order. However, it’s a pity that you went apeshit at him—I think it’s much more motivational to use more empowering language.
Will send him an e-mail tonight if I have a mo. Just ran into BSM—he said he was really looking forward to my presentation! K’s gone native, acting like touchy-feely American. Ugh.
Love you, M XX
From: Martin Lukes
To: Jake Lukes
Jake—I am a little bit concerned to hear from your mother that you stole some money from Svetlana, which has resulted in her threatening to leave.
I must be honest with you: my initial response was “Oh poo,” but I have now reflected on the situation, and feel you need to think about changing your behaviors.
Jake, can you do an exercise for me? Can you to think up six key behaviors that will help you going forward, and e-mail them to me? Then I can help you learn to live them. Let’s make a new start!
Love, Dad
From: Martin Lukes
To: UPBOB
Hi everyone!
I’m sorry I’m not at the pre-breakfast Show and Tell. I’m stuck in traffic. I didn’t realize it would take so long to get across town! Should be with you in half an hour.
Cheers, Martin Lukes
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld
From: Keith Buxton
To: UPBOB
Hallo everyone! Thanks to one and all for a stimulating day’s discussion. I have never seen so much passionate graffiti in one place! Thanks also to Martin Lukes for joining us eventually and sharing the interesting story of how he is using a behaviors matrix as a tool to motivate his son. I really believe that Project Uplift behaviors matrices have great potential both in the work and the home arenas! Please be prompt for this evening’s networking drinks. 6:30pm in the Printemps Suite.
Keith
From: Martin Lukes
To: Jenny Withers
Darling—really energizing day. We had a very intellectual discussion about the link between behaviors and values. Will tell all when I get back. Am forwarding Jake’s response to my motivational message. Any idea what he’s on about?
Love you, M x
From: Jake Lukes
To: Martin Lukes
Dad, you’re gay. J
APRIL 22
From: Martin Lukes
To: Keri Tartt
Hi Keri
Just arrived at Heathrow—am off home to recharge and renew. I’ve got a couple of key memos I need to write … Tell Rog that whatever it is, I can’t see him today. M
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld
APRIL 26
From: Martin Lukes
To: All Staff
Hello everyone
I wanted to debrief you on an incredibly exciting few days in Atlanta. There is huge momentum behind UPBOB, and our committee’s input went down extremely well. Suzanna gave a better-than-excellent presentation that left all the others standing! We are expecting that the UK contribution will be well represented in the ultimate outturn!
Best, Martin
From: Martin Lukes
To: Keri Tartt
Hi Keri
Can you put through my Atlanta exes asap? If Rog gives any trouble you might point out Suzanna and I worked 14-hour days while we were in Atlanta. We were putting the UK in the driving seat on our most important global initiative since Project Rebrand.
Martin
From: Barry Malone
To: All Staff
Howdy!
First up, I wanted to say thank you to all those who came to Atlanta last week for UPBOB. There is an amazing amount of passion and love being shown on this project. Over the next few days Keith Buxton and myself will be finalizing the matrix based upon last week’s inputs, and then we will be able to commence the global rollout of Project Uplift!
I love you all,
Barry
APRIL 30
From: Pandora@CoachworX!
To: Martin Lukes
Hi Martin
When we started the program I said I was going to be your greatest fan. And let me tell you that the way you have got back into the Bronze Program has been exceptional. The Old You is dead. New You is alive and growing!!
Can I ask you to jot down some of the advances you’ve made this month, and then give yourself a big round of applause?
Strive and thrive!
Pandora
From: Martin Lukes
To: Pandora@CoachworX!
Hi Pandora
If you’ll excuse a literary reference, April is the cruelest month.
As the poet Robert Frost predicted, this has been a hyper challenging month for myself, though I have notched some wins that I am very proud of. I am interacting less with people who impact negatively on my energy levels.
I am also making progress with the words I use. I am avoiding disempowering words and words full of pain. This has been highly successful except possibly with
my son, who seems to have decided that I’m a shirtlifter. Which is quite ironic, when you think about it(!).
This month I have made a good start in coming to terms with bowel cancer. To have scored a major career win under these circumstances is no mean feat.
I am distressed that not much progress has been made on the home front. Jens is burying herself in her career, in order to avoid confronting various issues. I see this as a growing problem.
Basically, going forward I need to look after number one and take things one day at a time!
22.5 percent better than my bestest
Martin
5
MAY
My Heart and My Head
MAY 3
From: Pandora@CoachworX!
To: Martin Lukes
Hi Martin
Welcome to Month Five!
This month we are going to focus in on your heart. But before we do that I want you to stand in front of a mirror very close, with your nose almost touching the glass, and then slowly walk backwards. I want you to describe the man in front of you using a fun test of mine called KWYA. It’s pronounced choir, because it is like your inner choir singing in harmony about the New You.
K stands for your kindness to yourself. W is your wisdom. Y is Your values and being true to them. A is your aims and ambitions.
Who Moved My Blackberry? Page 8