Stability: Just what Invensys needed

In a classic case of a tersely worded news release Invensys sent out at the end of June, one of the industry’s biggest players said their company’s president Mike Caliel was leaving to become president and chief executive at Integrated Electrical Services in Houston.
While the release focused, as it should, on Ken Brown the acting president, it didn’t really talk about what Caliel’s loss will mean to Invensys.
Caliel brought something to Invensys they sorely needed: Stability. If anyone can recall what the company has gone through over the past five years or so, the one thing the Invensys needed was someone to steer the ship on a steady course. In that case, Caliel was the man. While I am not totally sure what innovation he brought to the table, it was abundantly clear he knew what the company needed and how to get it done.
If you take a look at the industry leading suppliers out there, they all seem to have one very important thing in common: Consistent and stable management with a clear message. Just take a look at Emerson. John Berra gives a clear and consistent message at all times. And while it has taken a few years to show it, you can look at ABB and Honeywell as two other examples.
While I am sure Ken Brown will do a fine job at Invensys, I also know Mike Caliel’s steady hand will be missed.
Talk to me.