We have the world’s worst CEO. Help!

Dear Aunty B,

This is a long story but in a nutshell our CEO, who was competent but certainly didn’t set the world on fire, got sacked just before Christmas and the chairman/owner has stepped into the role. While he is a great chairman he is the world’s worst CEO.

His strengths are swanning around town and making the right introductions. He has no idea how the business actually runs and how hard it would be to carry out some of his ideas. He is also hopeless with technology and can barely turn on a computer, which is not helpful when we are a technology company.

The first thing he did was sack a few key staff and now the place is chaos. We can’t get him to see what the problems are because he doesn’t even know what some of the staff do! Apparently there is a global search for a new CEO but what can we do to stop him destroying the company before then? Morale is rock bottom and people are talking of leaving. My division has been left relatively unscathed but I am concerned for the company!

Help Aunty B!

Dear Help,

I don’t know how to say this without being sexist so I will say it anyway. I notice from your email address you are a woman. Why is that relevant? Because while your division has been left unscathed you are “worried for the company”.

Some women in business often feel they have to take control of things that are outside their control. Yeah alright, some men do too. But hear me clearly. This is outside your control. All you can do is hide under the desk with your team, get on with your work and take up an extreme sport to take your mind off your frustrations.

Your sham CEO will get very bored with the tedious detail that comes with the job and pretty soon want to replace himself. Meanwhile, he will have got a taste of how hard it is to run a business and appreciate the great job you all do.

May I recommend boxing or rock climbing?

Be smart,
Your Aunty B