INTERIM MANAGEMENT KEY POINTS FOR SUCCESS

Abstract

Interim management is defined as the temporary provision of management resources and skills, which can be seen as the short-term assignment of a proven executive manager to manage a period of transition, crisis, or change within an organization. In other words, interim management is the engagement by an organisation of a senior independent executive for a limited contractual period in a line management, staff or project role. The first phase in the interim management position is considered to be the “expectation, infrastructure, and exploring phase.” Expectations are high and team members are supportive and hopeful that interim manager will help them through change. If they've gone a long time without a leader, they may be hesitant and skeptical to get too close or share too much. It's truly the stage of golden opportunity where colleagues offer help and assistance to make the transition successful, even if it's temporary. Although the search for a permanent replacement continues, interim manager will begin to problem solve, organize, and stabilize the environment.Humility becomes the interim leader's best asset, especially if the role is outside his/her typical experience or comfort zone. The longer the interim position continues, the sharper the reality becomes. Expanding responsibilities from overseeing one unit or department to multiple units or departments at the same time can become overwhelming and short-term daily operational issues may seem to be handled without long-term thought, commitment, and passion. The last phase is one of accommodation to the situation, developing solutions, and problem solving at an operational versus an institutional level.Interim leadership roles filled from within an organization require leaders who take on additional responsibilities to effectively manage priorities, staffing, and, most of all, their time. There will be multiple competing priorities and deadlines in light of the additional responsibilities. If at all possible, interim manager should delegate some of those simple tasks to direct reports and accept the help of his/her colleagues. It will make them feel like they're contributing to the greater good and may spark a strength or project that may have gone undetected.