Tips for a successful interim assignment

Starting a new interim management role soon? Change is always scary, even for the most seasoned of interim professionals. Meeting a new team, getting to grips with new working styles and processes and building solid client and colleague relationships takes a lot of work and time, however, there are some simple steps you can take to ensure you have an efficient and rewarding start to your new interim role. See our tips on how to hit the ground running from day one:

Prepare

As an interim manager, you come into the role for a limited time with the aim of using your expert knowledge to help develop a future strategy as well as drive performance for the company. This means you need to come prepared; your interview process should have given you an idea of the day-to-day structure of your role and your team’s responsibilities, as well as a solid understanding of the Local Authority’s working processes. Make sure to flesh these out into a strategy or action plan that covers how you will achieve your targets.

Another good idea is to familiarise yourself with as many members of the team as possible in advance to meet them through the Authority’s social media or website presence if possible. This helps to put names to faces and takes away some of the anxiety of having to meet a lot of people on your first day, which will make you appear more relaxed and approachable.

If your timescales/deadlines have been mentioned in the interview process, make sure to implement these into your strategy/plan so you can feel confident and start prioritising tasks from your first day. This will allow you to get stuck in with the project straight away and have a clear understanding of what will be expected of you.

Fit in with the company culture

Cultural fit is just as important as your assignment KPIs, so make sure to ask questions before your start date that will help you understand the culture. Integrate with the team by asking questions/joining in during informal conversations so you can create valuable positive relationships.

Be prepared to be flexible

An interim management role within the public sector will often challenge you to be as flexible with your role as possible. Going into the role with an open mind about what may be asked of you will help you to quickly adapt to the fast-paced nature of a transformation project and will ensure you feel prepared to sometimes take on tasks that may be above or below your experience level. As a good interim manager, you should understand that this skill is necessary.

Create an open and trusting atmosphere

When you join a company as an interim manager, existing colleagues may feel threatened or intimidated by you and your experience. It is vital that you remain neutral at the beginning, spend time listening to people and create an environment where people feel comfortable to share their opinions before attempting to immediately suggest possible solutions. This will help you establish trust with your team, make it easier to get people onboard with your ideas and get the support you need as a manager.

Looking for your next interim assignment? We can help you find what you’re looking for. Our experienced consultants can give you advice and support throughout the entire process, including ongoing support during your role. Contact us via email at [email protected] or click here to visit the vacancies section of our website to view the latest jobs available.