The absence or departure of a manager can have disastrous consequences for an organisation: loss of focus on priorities, disengagement, delays in decision-making, lax monitoring, overwork, etc. In addition, the risk of missing operational objectives is sometimes combined with the risk of compliance.

The interim manager is this experienced professional who will fill in for the time when the incumbent manager is absent. While not necessarily an expert in the field they are called upon to manage, they certainly have a great deal of experience, the ability to adapt and make decisions, and the knowledge to understand and exercise the prerogatives of the position. Their leadership skills enable them to liaise effectively between the decision-making and operational levels. Ultimately, its ability to formalise and transfer knowledge enables the (new) incumbent to return to or take up the position in the best possible conditions.

With all these qualities, the interim manager should not just keep the engine ‘humming’, but will often be a driving force behind proposals and improvements.

In any case, this is the spirit in which I approach this type of assignment, which sometimes even leads me to resolve long-standing situations that impact on performance as much as on individuals.

Are you considering an interim management assignment? Let's get in touch!