Before I start, I need to acknowledge it’s the luckiest cat in the World’s 15th birthday today.
She may use me, mock me and begrudge me – but I love her.
So happy birthday Rosie, I look forward to hearing your complaints when I get home.
OK, so let me begin this post by saying that Henry is alive and well.
I know that subject line makes it sound like he’s died, but it just worked with the photo at the top of this post.
I know … I know …
Anyway, today is a bittersweet day for me … the Colenso planning department and Colenso as a whole … because gorgeous Henry leaves us.
Actually, he’s doing more than that, he’s leaving the industry.
I’m going to ignore that a little over a year from me joining, he’s off. I’m going to forget he has loved Colenso for years and left Adam & Eve in London to come here. I’m going to forget all that and put it down to him supporting Huddersfield Town and being devastated his [ex] boss is a Nottingham Forest fan who saw them beat his team in the play-off final to the Premiership.
Yeah, that’s it … must be.
OK … OK … it’s not, but even with the forced clarity of reality, it’s still hugely important we celebrate that this wonderful strategist is going on a career adventure.
Career adventures are often devalued.
Seen as walking away from the foundations you have built.
But that’s bollocks on so many levels … especially when you’re a planner who can use many of their skills in new ways with new industries.
Sure, it’s sad for us that Henry wants to explore, but the reality is I’m also very happy for him, for two simple reasons …
1. He’s going to test and stretch his talent in new ways, which is awesome.
2. Whatever way you look at it, Henry is brilliant.
In fact, Henry is so brilliant he was a big part I took the job.
When I was chatting to Colenso, I got to meet Henry and we had many chats and I immediately was taken by his brains, character and chops.
Yes he’s obsessed with war facts and puts the ‘hype’ in hypochondriac … but he’s also caring, compassionate, diligent, smart and a real leader.
That last one is particularly important as it is banded about a lot in this industry … but where Henry is concerned, it’s the perfect description.
He cares about others.
He wants the best for others.
He supports others in their quests and goals.
He leads by example in all he does.
That last one is the difference.
Anyone can say they care, but the true test of integrity is how you operate … both in the shadows and in the spotlight.
Henry is so honourable he even paid me back the $8000 I accidentally sent him when I was a fucking idiot …
OK, that bit may show he is prone to stupidity, but you get what I mean.
All this is my way of saying that today we lose a special human, not just a great strategist.
And while – from a personal perspective – I wish he wasn’t going and I’ll miss him like hell … I am proud and excited for him.
I’ve written a lot how I believe the role of a boss is to help your people see, seize and be seen for opportunities they may otherwise not consider a possibility. And while in Henry’s case, I had nothing to do with it, I still feel a thrill that he’s off to explore what he can become.
Of course I’m in no doubt he will be brilliant, but I hope once he realises it, he see’s this next step as simply the beginning of many more – and bigger – steps. Taking him to places far beyond where he is and where he is going.
I hope he understands that.
I’ll make sure he can’t forget it.
So to you Henry …
It’s been a pleasure and honour to have you in my life.
Not just professionally, but personally.
Thank you for everything … you helped this agency and department in ways that will be felt and remembered for a very long time.
But not as long as you’ll be remembered for the person you are.
Go be brilliant but please don’t talk ‘war facts’ till at least week 4.