Jungle Fighting

I remember when I first heard the term ‘jungle fighting.’  It was many years ago.

During my career, I served in various organizations as the Controller and/or Chief Financial Officer, as well as General Manager.

And, I would say for providential purposes, I was called to serve during some very challenging times.  Both, in terms of a company’s development and the overall economy.

It’s Lonely At The Top

I was having lunch one day with the partner of a CPA firm.  I was describing some of the organizational challenges I was facing at the time.  And I remember the partner saying to me, “So, you’re jungle fighting.”

I hadn’t heard that term before.  But by his quick definition, I had come to believe I was not the first person to have experienced this malady.

What Is Jungle Fighting?

Jungle fighting is akin to hand-to-hand combat.  Making forward progress is seemingly hindered by the entangling vegetation.  You’re miserable.  And, so is everyone else around you.  Maybe you’ve experienced some of these scenarios:

• Cash, it seems, is always in shortage.  You are concerned about making payroll.  You have vendors that need to be paid.
• Your bank has decided not to renew your working capital line and needs you to find another lender.
• It seems like every day is a struggle to survive.  You wonder if the organization is going to be in business next year, month, week, or even the next day.

Something Is Off

If you feel like you’ve been jungle fighting, something is amiss.  But this doesn’t necessarily mean this is a result of something you’ve personally done.  At times, in my career, I seemingly inherited some challenges – things that weren’t obvious at the time.  But, these challenges seemingly showed up at some inopportune times.  In part, this was during some huge shifts in the economy.

At other times, there were some things that the organization missed.  Some lessons were learned.

It’s Lonely At The Top

If you’re the CEO or hold another C-level title, you know this: It’s lonely at the top.

But, as we say at Blue Elevator™, “Just because it’s lonely at the top, doesn’t mean you have to go it alone.”

I Remember

At various times, but for God, I was so discouraged that I didn’t know where to turn.  I didn’t know who to tell.  And, I really needed someone who understood what I was going through.  I needed someone who had been there before.  And, I needed someone to help me find the way out.

Thank God, I did find a way out.  But, it was difficult and discouraging.  If you’ve also experienced this, you know what it feels like.  You feel like you’re the only person going through it.  And, it’s not easy to ask the people you’re leading for advice – because they’re relying on you for the answers.  And, it might be that your boss doesn’t understand what the problem is, either.

If you’re the CFO, the CEO wants to spend money like it’s going out of style – and wonders why you don’t have bags of cash sitting around.  Or, maybe you’re the CEO and the Board wonders why you aren’t delivering results.

At Blue Elevator™ … We’re Here For You

God willing, at Blue Elevator™, we’re here for you.  And, God willing, we’ll come alongside and help you figure a way out of the jungle.

Contact us!