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September Leadership Solution

Posted by [email protected] on 10/12/2026 12:00 am  

THE LEADERSHIP TRAINING/MENTORING CORNER

       

In the August 2025 Newsletter, we started a series called “The Leadership/Mentoring Corner” in which we posed a thought-provoking situation for you to think about and put yourself into, asking yourself, “What are your next steps?” 

 

SEPTEMBER LEADERSHIP SITUATION

 

Charlie is a Vice-President at a small retail service business, a position he has held for three years. The business’ sales have been flat for the last five years at around $3.0 million a year. The President of the business has been in his position for about five years, and he and Charlie work well together. The owner of the business started the business some 30 years ago. The owner knows the specific retail service inside and out, but is not necessarily good with finances, marketing, or business planning. Over the 30 years the business has been in operation, there has been a high employee turnover due to the owner’s management style and lack of big-picture business strategy focus. 

The business just lost one of its largest clients that represented 30% of the total annual sales. The business owner blames the business’ President and terminates the President on the spot. 

Charlie is afraid the owner is going to ask him to move into the President’s position, and Charlie is not sure he even wants the position. Charlie has his resume out to a couple of placement firms and has a second interview scheduled this afternoon. 

  • Should Charlie go on the second interview, and why or why not?
  • What should Charlie do if the owner offers him the President’s position?
  • What else should Charlie be doing or thinking about?

After polling several Silver Fox Advisors, the following steps and/or actions are being recommended.

Without a doubt or any reservation Charlie should go to the second interview because he needs to position himself to be able provide for himself and his family and that may not be possible in the future in his present situation.

 If Charlie is offered the position of President of the Company he should

  1. Not immediately accept it and tell the owner he would Like the opportunity to talk the offer over with his family;
  2. Seek input and advice from family, friends and professionals; 
  3. Identify the positives and negatives surrounding accepting the positions and weigh all the factors.   

Charlie needs to been thinking about demanding a formal “Employment Contract” which spells out in detail all the duties and responsibilities of the position, what the expectations of the owner are now and in the future, what the exact authority of the position is, what the compensation structure is including profit-sharing and details of a severance package. 

Charlie also needs to access the viability of the business, short and long term. If the business won’t make it, does he want to invest any more of his time in it?

                                                                                                                                                                    

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