| Topic Name: |
Inertia |
| Message Name: |
I thought I could make a difference.... |
| Date Posted: |
01/01/2006 |
| In Reply To: |
For me it was inertia, personal reasons, fear of the unknown, and false hope.
For a long time, I didn't know what I wanted to do if I left Hewitt so I did nothing. Once I figured it out, I couldn't make an immediate jump for personal reasons (mortgage, expanding family, going back for my MBA). Then the fear of the unknown kicked in of having to leave a place where I loved the people I worked even though I hated the job. Finally, it was false hope. There was time when I could go to my manager and say that I was getting bored with my current role and wanted more/different responsibilities and he/she would work with me to find me a new opportunity even if it wasn't a Hewitt defined role. The last couple of years all I was hearing was "Keep giving this a shot" or "That doesn't sound like it fits into any of the role portraits. You need to give me a role title you want to work towards." etc. I finally got tired of all the crap and found a job where they value my experiences, my desire for wanting a broad experience base, my CEBS, and my MBA.
I will admit it, when I joined Hewitt I saw myself working here for 20+ years, but the fantasy faded as time went on. My last day was last Friday, I will miss all the people that I worked with, but I could hardly keep from doing a happy dance as I left the building. A sad comment from someone who willingly traveled over holidays and skipped vacations for client commitments. While I have some bitterness, I have no one to blame but myself for the choices I made. To be honest, I probably would have done the travel and missed vacations all over again even with what I know now, but that is because of my work ethic, my loyalty to my team, and my loyalty to my clients. It was never loyalty to Hewitt.
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| Message: |
I, too, have left Hewitt. It wasn't a personal decision but was made for me through a variety of actions and deeds throughout the year. Ultimately, it was best for me as the company had turned into a foreign land.
I see and feel that Hewitt was changing but believed I could make a difference for our clients and the associates that worked with me throughout the years.
I remember when Hewitt was one of the Best 100 Companies. I remember collaboration, creative thinking and a flat organization. I remember when each associate (no matter what their title)had an equal voice and each had the opportunity and responsibility to speak up if there was a concern.
I remember when our leaders believed that people could make a difference. I remember leaders with character, integrity and value. I remember a place where I was willing to work hard and long hours because my work had an impact on our clients. I remember have the capability to be both caring and requiring when managing associates. I could care about them as people yet still get the job done.
I have seen so much talent grow and prosper through a nuturing yet business focused environment.
I could blame the changes on going public but that isn't the case. Our leaders didn't have a long term strategy and still don't. They stumbled to make long term decisions and create a vision. They relied on the talents of a select few who are clearly leading beyond their capability. They are leading through fear and looking to place blame for their shortcomings and judgement errors.
I have left Hewitt but I care about all those that remain. I care about our diminished quality. I care about our lack of depth and breadth. I care that it is more important to be political than to have the right talent to attain business results.
I care about the associates that have given their hearts and souls to a company they loved and respected. I care that leadership takes no ownership for the job eliminations that happened. Millions of dollars have been thrown out the window because there lacks any leader that will take accountability for not doing the right things when the opportunity existed.
There may be a change to salvage Hewitt's core values but I doubt it. The engraved words are fading from the marble benches in the Lincolnshire entry way. You can barely read the word integrity right now it is fading away.
Several are up for re-election to the Board and WE have the opportunity take charge of our destiny and ensure the right leaders are in place to take the company forward. It may be too late but we can try. Any associate with any type of stock can speak their mind.
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