My staff are resiting the restructure. Help!

Dear Aunty B,

I am exhausted from working to midnight for the past eight years. I want to focus on strategy, so I have restructured my team so I have only one direct report: the general manager.

But when I announced the restructure to the staff, I have been shocked at the response of a few team members who have demanded that they still report to me. One of them says it undermines his position in the eyes of the staff and the second one says the restructure will affect the business because the head of sales (which she is) needs to report straight to the CEO.

I feel like if I acquiesce to these two demands I will be forced back to square one, but I am also worried about people leaving!

Caught in the middle,
Victoria

Dear Caught in the middle,

Well, tell the guy who is worried about his own self-image to get a grip. Respect from staff comes from what you do not to whom you report. And they will get used to change. But you certainly do not want your sales director to leave if she is any good and status does matter to sales people. (I also would want to keep an eye on the revenue myself.)

Here is what you must do. Tell the head of sales she still reports to you but that in all meetings you need the GM there. That way you can start to devolve responsibility to the GM and your sales director gets used to the GM having control. Make sure you elevate the GM so that staff know he or she run the joint. But be firm. People get used to change.

At some stage you need to appoint a CEO and become chairman, you know. That will really solve your problems!

Good luck,
Your Aunty B

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