Choosing Your No.2

Been keeping myself away from FB recently and so far it seems to work though the hands itch at times. I have resumed my reading routine especially since I have quite a number of magazines piling on my desk, waiting for me to flip open and dig into their contents. Today I have come across an article from Fortune Aug 13, 2012 edition, written by Jack and Suzy Welch on "Looking for a Great No.2?" I will skip on the American politic part to the best I could.

They listed 6 qualities that you must look for before you pick your No.2 (No.2 refers to the best man available after the leader of an organization, may be referring to vice-president, deputy director, etc, you got what I mean. Let's use the term vice-president in this context, to make description easier):

> First, a vice-president must be able to be president.

From day one alone, and not eventually. It creates confidence and sends out the message that the bottom will never fall our of the system. A No.2 should be able to take over the helm from No.1 without hesitation.

> Second, a vice-president can't be a clone of the president.

There's just no point. A No.2 must have different skills and abilities from No.1's, as meaningful as they are complementary.

> Third, A second in command has to have guts.

Why? Because No.2 has the profound responsibility to look No.1 in the eye and deliver the awkward, unpleasant, and even painful messages that no one else can: "This is what people are thinking but not telling you" or "You might come off too strongly in that meeting. To some people, it probably looked as if you weren't listening". A No. 2 needs certain fearlessness, an attitude born of self-confidence and candor.

> Fourth, A VP has to project gravitas and be a signifcant presence, but cannot overshadow the president.

The leader needs to be the focal point for the organization - fully aware and in charge. Appearances matter, also related to confidence in the system.

> Fifth, The VP has to be a real partner to the President - keeping confidences and blocking attempts from below to divide and conquer.

Organization is always filled with politicking and intrigue. We can't have a VP's office that is a place to shop ideas or slip initiatives through. Even if they disagree - which they should - in public, the VP and President must stand as one.

> Finally, A No.2 should ideally help bring a critical constituency into the fold.

It sounds awfully political but there are always factions to dealw ith, from the sales force tot he techies. In business, as in picking the second most powerful person in the land, politics matters.

Jack and Suzy Welch are Reuters columnist. Jack was the CEO of General Electric for 21 years and is the founder of the Jack Welch Management Institution at Strayer University. Suzy is an author, speaker, and former editor of the Harvard Business Review.