Filling Big Shoes? How to deal with a memorialized predecessor.

Assuming a new leadership role – such as department head, group manager or committee chair is tough enough. But, when you are succeeding Mr. or Ms. Wonderful, it can be a nightmare. Here are some tips to help you manage the tension between your predecessor's legacy and the task at hand.

Do Your Homework.
Meet with the person you're replacing before you start the job to get a sense of his or her managerial style. This will help you better understand problem areas and uncover the cherished leader's secrets for handling difficult situations as well as the personalities in your new work environment. Also, speak with the folks who will be your peers and direct reports. Your questions won’t always be welcome, but you'll gain a great deal of insight from the answers you do get.

Contrast and Compare.
Why were you selected as the replacement and what are you supposed to accomplish? Your new direct reports may think you should do nothing more than stay the course. But the people you'll be answering to might have something entirely different in mind. You may need to chart a new direction for your staff. It's also possible that the admiration your predecessor enjoyed caused management to overlook underlying performance issues – and now you are charged with taking them on. You must find a way to reconcile the tension between your predecessor's legacy and moving forward.

Make your mission known.
Certainly, if you’ve been charged with shaking up the status quo, this will be tough to do. However, it is important to help your staff understand the challenges you've been mandated to address. Prepare yourself to hear the inevitable comment, "but she always did it this way." When it surfaces – and it definitely will – resist the temptation to back down and simply copy the behavior of the former boss. Instead, turn this temptation into an opportunity to help your new reports better understand your own leadership style.

Get the right hands on deck.
Retaining a staff member with a mediocre performance record is a common mistake. This is an area where your leadership can make a huge difference. Give your direct reports a chance to get on board and meet your expectations. But don't wait too long to make the necessary changes. At the end of the day, only those folks who are willing to work with you will help you accomplish your mandate.

So, thanks for the memories Mr. Wonderful. But, now it’s time for all of us to move on.

Labels: experience, hard work, management style, professionalism, real-world knowledge

Posted by Melissa on 5/29/2009 09:48:00 AM
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No previous work experience? It's okay, just get creative and work every angle you've got!

First Job? Are you worried that you’re resume is lacking much needed experience? I promise, you will be okay. Don’t get stuck in a mold. A resume is not just for listing work experience; it can be used for listing all types of experience and qualifications.  You can use any and everything to your advantage. Work all of your angles—it’s not necessarily about how much experience you have, but what you’ve learned and how you’ve grown from these particular experiences. You can utilize participation in athletics to highlight your ability to work with a team. You can even utilize past babysitting experience; if a parent trusts you with the responsibility of their child, chances are that you can accomplish other tasks with that same responsibility. There are ways to spin anything into a positive learning experience.

Labels: experience, first job

Posted by Jen on 11/17/2008 08:45:00 AM
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Becoming A Teacher

Last Friday, at 9:15 am I arrived at the Elementary school downtown. This was a drastically different experience than any other school I had been to previously.

I worked with many different teachers, some good, but many were very mean to the kids. It was definitely an experience I will remember. There I actually received hands on experience and guidance on what an actual classroom will be like, rather than factual information taken from books.
I saw many different style of teaching, with many different academic levels of children. This was definitely a worthwhile experience that I will remember and who much rather prefer to do.

It made me realize how excited I am to have my own classroom of children. I wish I could just skip through all this boring, repetitive college classes.

Labels: classes, experience, kids

Posted by Kelly on 10/18/2007 12:40:00 PM
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Clinical Hours

For the first time this entire semester I finally feel like I'm starting to begin work more closely related to my major and my career.

On Friday I will be observing and hopefully teaching special education students in a public elementary school. From 9-2:30 I will be helping students with special needs and getting prepared for what my future classroom may entail.

With strict dress codes and proper classroom etiquette, I'm both excited and nervous for this experience. Rather than sitting in a classroom and taking notes for hours upon hours, I'd much rather actually go to a classroom and learn from hands on experience.

I feel this is the best way to prepare future teachers and also more exciting. While I do have some experience in a classroom, the school systems here differ vastly from those in Connecticut.

I can't wait!

Labels: experience, school, teaching

Posted by Kelly on 10/10/2007 03:57:00 PM
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