Thoughts on Tillerson

You don't get to be CEO of a major oil company by being a shrinking violet. I had left the organization before Tillerson took over but I worked for a major oil company for 20 years and I can guess what may soon take place soon at the Department of State. Tillerson rose through an organization that routinely fired the bottom 10% of their staff based on their performance reviews and I expect Tillerson will bring this same results focused business approach to State.

Tillerson's focus as CEO of ExxonMobil was results, schedule and cost. I doubt that that will change. State employees should expect to held responsible for results and should have their resume ready if they do not achieve them. They can also expect to see some changes made. It won't be business as usual.

I point to the following excerpt from Tillerson's speech to State Department Employees with key statements highlighted for emphasis:

"As Secretary, I will deploy the talent and resources of the State Department in the most efficient ways possible. That may entail making some changes to how things are traditionally done in this department. Change for the sake of change can be counterproductive, and that will never be my approach.

But we cannot sustain ineffective traditions over optimal outcomes. I will gather information on what processes should be reformed, and do my part to make sure we are functioning in the most productive and efficient way possible.

Regardless of the circumstances shaping our country or our department, We must all remain focused on the mission at hand before us. I remind you that our undertakings are larger than ourselves or our personal careers."

It is quiet right now at State but I expect you should see sweeping changes soon.