Viewpoint — November 2008
Recruiting Call to Barack Obama
Written by Bob Gershberg, Managing Partner Dick Wray Executive Search
“Good Morning Barack. Bob Gershberg, Managing Partner of Dick Wray Executive Search reaching out today to tell you about a search we are conducting for a rather exciting CEO opportunity. Some would say it is the best job in the world. But you know me Barack, I’m not going to blue sky you – it definitely has its challenges. The client is clearly looking for a change agent and although they preach diversity and inclusion, truth is the position has always been held by white guys. The base comp is not great but the perquisite package is quite substantive. They even give you a 55,000 square foot home to live in- full relo but not sure they’ll cover closing costs on your Chicago home. Then again, I heard you got an awesome deal on that one so you’ll probably want to keep it. You will have some clean-up issues to deal with as the incumbent has racked up a bit of a deficit. At last count the deficit was approaching $1 trillion with debt of roughly $10.5 trillion. You will also have to deal with a rather disparate board (they call it Congress) and a very diverse group of stakeholders. The board has some members you may view as hostile but a large percentage at this point will be in your corner, albeit they are not the always thought to be the smartest of folks.”
“Barack, I know the base is a bit lower than you were hoping for but from a career building perspective this is a great gig. Most folks do pretty well as speakers following tenure in this position. One fellow who held this post during the 90’s, commands north of $200k for speaking engagements.”
“To be successful in this position your team-building skills will have to be exemplary. And no matter how hard you and your team work, some stakeholders will always be very tough on you. There is one group (they call it the media) who will treat you incredibly well until you make a few decisions and then they will turn on you in a heartbeat. Did I mention you have to be thick-skinned in this position, Barack?”
“There is quite a bit of international exposure as well. Here too you would be inheriting a bit of a mess, 2 wars, leadership issues in N. Korea, Iran and Venezuela, some serious drug stuff going on in Mexico and lots of problems to help solve in Africa.”
“Other than the world financial crisis and the 2 wars on the professional front there are a few personal life challenges as well. Don’t get me wrong Barrack, Michelle and the girls will love living in DC but getting out for a quiet dinner with the wife will be different than hitting a favorite in the River North Area of Chicago. And the girls are not likely to have the opportunity to call their buds and say “Hey wanna come over for a while – the ‘rents are out of town?”
“The good news is you will have your own aircraft at your disposal at all times. You know how much of a pain traveling commercial carriers is these days? You can Google this group and get lots of additional information for your consideration. You might want to reread “The Federalist Papers” as most of us haven’t since our college days. And this guy Madison had a pretty good idea of how this company would develop.”
“Barack, in being fully transparent, I must tell you most guys leave this position looking a bit older and weathered than when they entered. The stress is off the charts. Barack…Barack…are you still there?”
All the best,
Bob Gershberg |Managing Partner|
bob.gershberg@dickwray.com
(888) 875-9993 ext 102
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