Hi Richard, I have been thinking about this a lot since the advice was made public. You frame this blog as "when the unexploded bomb lands" and I suspect this and the fact that there is a lot of concern around the Scandal will mean you get a lot of replies that all support the very powerful contribution you have shared above. However many views in hindsight will not help anyone facing situation in real time. This therefore would be my guidance (as a mentor, rather than as a former GC)
Give yourself time to think. Cancel intrusions and unimportant meetings. Make space urgently.
Call your counsel. Rehearse your first reactions with him or her and make sure you have not misunderstood anything or that you are putting too much or too little emphasis on any single point.
Write down your thoughts and what you believe you should do. Then go for a walk for half an hour and clear your head.
When you come back to your desk see if your thoughts still resonate and capture how you feel about what must be done.
Now call for meetings with your CEO, your boss if not your CEO and the company chair. Brief them on what you now know AND on what you believe must now happen. The chances are they will push back to some extent and ask if you are sure. This is your moment to step into the full extent of your duty.
From here you need to trust your judgement, but be surrounded as well with good advice. From here you know literally anything said or written will be scrutinised at some point. Act so your mum and dad will be proud of you. Act like your job matters less than your reputation.
And as always look after yourself too. This might get lonely, have someone in your corner who cares about you.
Hi Richard, I have been thinking about this a lot since the advice was made public. You frame this blog as "when the unexploded bomb lands" and I suspect this and the fact that there is a lot of concern around the Scandal will mean you get a lot of replies that all support the very powerful contribution you have shared above. However many views in hindsight will not help anyone facing situation in real time. This therefore would be my guidance (as a mentor, rather than as a former GC)
Give yourself time to think. Cancel intrusions and unimportant meetings. Make space urgently.
Call your counsel. Rehearse your first reactions with him or her and make sure you have not misunderstood anything or that you are putting too much or too little emphasis on any single point.
Write down your thoughts and what you believe you should do. Then go for a walk for half an hour and clear your head.
When you come back to your desk see if your thoughts still resonate and capture how you feel about what must be done.
Now call for meetings with your CEO, your boss if not your CEO and the company chair. Brief them on what you now know AND on what you believe must now happen. The chances are they will push back to some extent and ask if you are sure. This is your moment to step into the full extent of your duty.
From here you need to trust your judgement, but be surrounded as well with good advice. From here you know literally anything said or written will be scrutinised at some point. Act so your mum and dad will be proud of you. Act like your job matters less than your reputation.
And as always look after yourself too. This might get lonely, have someone in your corner who cares about you.
Take care. Paul