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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.

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Posted by Melissa on 5/29/2009 09:48:00 AM
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