In Depth

How to Serve Multiple Masters

Experts show how to sharpen six key skills for the future CSO

By Lew McCreary

Page 2

But in civilian life, being outranked doesn't always mean following every order. Your job, he says, is "protecting everyone in your corporation not only from [outsiders], but from themselves. It can cause quite a bit of controversy. You may be outranked at times, but that doesn't necessarily mean you'll be doing as you're asked. You have to know how and when to tell people something's not going to play out as they would like."

So, how do you do that? "It's not easy.... You have to get to know each and every individual and find out their patience level, how important their business really is. I spend a lot of time understanding everyone's job and what sort of pressure they get when they have to report up."

It also boils down to diplomacy, he says. And the ability to pay attention to many inputs at once. "Listening is huge; it's critical. When I'm talking to one person, I'm also trying to understand what's happening to my left or my right. I'm in constant conversation with lots of people, listening to every need and concern they have. But when it's time to execute, it all comes down to being firm but respectful. You have to be very decisive."

Does Denelsbeck ever jones for a simpler life? "I can't imagine. I would think it would be terribly boring!"

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