Pursue Placement Options

he Income Support Bureau technically owes J. Morton Schwarzkopf nothing more than a reduction-in-force notice due to the abolishment of his official position. However, RIF notice would result in Schwarzkopf's placement in a leadership position in the reengineered organization. Organizational performance and Schwarzkopf's prospective pay benefits build a strong business case for aggressively pursuing other placement options.

Management credibility is at stake here as well. The leaders of the new organization need to demonstrate their commitment to the success of the new business strategy and their willingness to go the extra mile to take care of people-especially long-term employees dedicated, committed, and loyal to the bureau's past and future mission.

HR Director Dixon's recommendation that Schwarzkopf pursue professional societies and advocacy groups is right on target. This strategy provides an opportunity to become creative in devising a placement situation beneficial to Schwarzkopf, the bureau and the gaining activity. The bureau should be prepared to negotiate funding opportunities-something like supplemental financial support or other resource assistance for a specified period of time, including partial or even fully reimbursable assignments in certain professional or public interest organizations. After all, his retained pay level would be quite high in a poor job fit. Other initial placement options such as the use of sabbaticals, the Intergovernmental Personnel Act, and other programs must be aggressively pursued as well.

Kelleher must make Schwarzkopf a full partner in the placement process and equally responsible for the outcome. This has to be a joint endeavor by Kelleher, Schwarzkopf and Dixon. Kelleher needs to communicate the complexity and gravity of this situation. Schwarzkopf has acknowledged the diminished requirement for his professional skills in the reengineered bureau, but he cannot be permitted to be passive or to walk away from the situation. Kelleher must reorient Schwarzkopf's thinking and adjust his attitude if necessary. Most important, he has to bolster the confidence and resourcefulness Schwarzkopf has exhibited in the past 28 years. The task is to channel the skills that made Schwarzkopf successful into the energy necessary to find his next opportunity for continued success.

Alton C. Ressler is director of corporate administration at the Defense Logistics Agency. His previous positions include Army assignments in the United States and Germany and management posts at the Transportation Department and in military intelligence.