You read the previous episode. Then, you understand that a multinational company in Japan (Gaishikei) lost the VP for APAC region. No succession plan was in place and no transition was expected. For some time, global VP took care of the region but based in Europe, it was just a temporary solution.
Finally, the position was opened. Internally and partially externally.
The Rat Race started.
I was part of this race. At that time, I was in charge of the division for Japan. The division had quite a big size in terms of revenues. I had also quite many years’ experience in the company and thought “Why not?”
More than 50 persons from region (APAC) and global applied for it. I got to learn it only at the end.
It was a lengthy process with several interviews with region, global, external assessment organizations etc.
At this time, APAC was the smallest region compared to America or Europe/Middle-East/Africa. However, the position would still involve managing a team of a few hundred people.
Several categories of peoples applied:
- “I am not happy with my position, let’s move to Asia”
- “Asia is great, I like it, I want to go there”
- And of course, all the APAC heads for their countries (like me) who expected to be the next one.
We had regular meetings in the region, to meet Face to Face as the COVID was now somehow gone. At this time, all of them were talking about “the position.” Each of them insisted to anybody willing to listen that they did not apply. They also said, “You are the best for this position, and I will support you.” It was an extremely interesting experience of watching the human nature.
The closer you were with the person, the deeper explanation you would get. They would explain why they did not apply. They felt they did not have the capacity for the role. (learning later that they indeed applied…)
The process went through. It started with more than 50 people. Then, it was reduced to 10, then less. Finally, we reached the final stage.
I reached the final stage. At this time, I believed that I had credibility and I was legitimate for the position. At least I could reach the final stage.
The final decision was in the hand of the VP who oversaw our division. He had been nominated recently as EVP (Executive Vice President). He was overseeing our division worldwide. Knowing nothing about APAC, he had to make a choice.
He did make a choice and decided to chose someone from outside. It was this person or me.
I later understood that he wanted to avoid any conflict between current directors in the region. He did not know the region well and decided to go for a neutral solution. At least he came to Japan to explain me the situation face to face and his decision. It was late 2022.
Fatal error, or a kind of 404 or “blue screen” as we will learn later.
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