Next CPO

The half-pant (shorts) is, by now, a rope around my neck. I really like it. I really stand for it. It represents a lot to me. In the office, I have sensed it even makes the atmosphere light-weight, collegiate and free-flowing. But the CEO has spoken. So, I spoke with a few people about it: My Engg counterpart: We are always at each other's neck. We are also great friends. I think he is the only friend I have made in the work environment in the last 20 years. Don't get me wrong. Guy's a rocket. Doesn't mince his words, doesn't shy away from a fight. And I suspect he is quite adept at CYA and politics too.  Advice: as long as some amount of formality is expected, it's okay. Draw your boundaries and choose your battles. T-shirts and Jeans should be your lowest threshold.  My wife: It's your Saturn. (Me: What?). Yes, it's Saturn doing this to you. It is making you face all the things that you have escaped from, even looked down upon. Saturn, when he focuses ...

The CEO had pointed out a bunch of things: Widen your focus: To know everything; the business plan; the compliance; the revenues; the partnerships; everything. This was welcome and I could see how I would do this. Greater engagement with finance team, partnership team, ops team etc. Executive presence: By this he meant, stop wearing half-pants and crocs to the office. Now, this was a uphill one for me. For me, the half-pant is like my personal national flag. It represents a lot to me - iconoclasm, innovation, even courage. I was considering how to handle this. For a few moments, I even considered resigning from all this bullshit. Truly, I did.  More on the half-pant later...

Came to know! The CPO and the CEO, after a long session of massive pre-board-meeting head-bang with the c-suite, called me aside to the CEO room (which we all use). And asked, “Do you really want it?” And I said - “Yes!”...