In my experience, management is laregly about managing "change" rather than managing people. Also leadership is largely about driving "change" by leading people in a certain direction. Sun has seen a rather large number of high profile transitions:
- John Loiacano leaving his roll as EVP of Software
- Scott changing his role at Sun
- Jonathan becoming CEO
- Rich Green rejoining Sun as EVP of Software
The transitions have also been closer to home losing a couple of key senior engineers and a manager, but also gaining a great new college hire and some senior engineers. Some may lament at losing good engineers or revel in gaining new ones or even express frustration that there is just to much change. I however believe that change is a vital element of progress and success (however you define it) is result of embracing that change.
The "I Ching" has a quote (loosely translated) - "Before the beginning of brilliance, there must be Chaos." I have found this to be very accurate. Through the transitions outlined above I have seen junior engineers step up deliver as if they were seasoned engineers, senior engineers come to life to become leaders influencing not only their group but a much broader organization, and lastly I have seen myself step up to take on roles that I had never really considered.
At the heart of change appears to be opportunity.
