One best piece of Leadership Advice

Image by Marius Walter on Unsplash.com

Image by Marius Walter on Unsplash.com

“Beverley” he said “Do you know what that is up there?” pointing up at the clear blue sky full of glorious sunshine. It was the first time we had met and we were walking to a restaurant, crossing one of Barcelona’s busy streets.

“That Beverley is The Sun’.

“I know you don’t get to see that very often in the UK so I want you to take a good look at it”.

(presumably he didn’t mean directly with my naked eyes did he?)

He burst out laughing at his own joke. One I think he tripped out often with my other UK colleagues.

Randy Partee was an ebullient, much larger than life personality. He’d not been long in Barcelona, appointed to head up the European arm of the largest dry pet food manufacturer in the world.

Later I joined the ERP project team. An implementation canned 3 weeks before Go Live, overtaken by Nestle using SAP.

Although not his brief, when the future got really sticky with the impending acquisition, Randy stepped in.

“You can ask me anything. I’ll do one of three things. I’ll tell you what I know, I’ll tell you I don’t know and will find out, or I’ll tell you I know but I can’t share.”

This was a fair deal. I’ve referenced it in my coaching - it's straight and clear - there are no other good options.

Randy Partee RIP 2009, aged 54