Taking over as manager

‘Imagine if I could have had had a thorough grasp of how this operation and the organization functions when I took over as CEO. How simple it would have been. Right from the first day when I met my immediate colleagues I would have been able to put the right questions and compare the answers with what I learned from the survey carried out on the operation immediately before I took up the post. Quite simply, I would have hit the ground running.’

For the majority of new CEOs and senior managers, the approach outlined above is only a pipe dream, but those who are given the opportunity to realise the dream are considerably more satisfied.

Recruiting the right person to a senior managerial position is often vital to the potential success of an organisation. It is just as important that the CEO is given the best possible chance of success when he or she takes up the post.

As a new CEO – or as the manager of a large operation – you essentially have 100 days to generate a noticeable result. After 12–18 months, these results must also show up in the company’s income statement and balance sheet. You are the one expected to have the vision, show the way and lead through others.

Creating a time advantage makes all the difference, and this can be done by obtaining clear and relevant knowledge of the operation, managers and staff.

Anyone at all can find information about you through the internet and social media. Expectations are rapidly formed in the organization you are about to join, and both facts and rumours spread like wildfire.

It is essential that you get up to speed on ‘the business’ fast – what must be prioritised, what can wait and how do you create some ‘me-time’ to think about future issues? You must get across what you want to achieve in your new job, your own view of leadership, your values and your approach to working with control and management – and to do this in such a way that you carry your managers and staff along with you.

If, on appointment, you are already familiar with the areas and issues which are crucial for the organisation, you are in an excellent position to handle them effectively. This knowledge is priceless insurance for you during your introductory period – i.e. the first 100 days!

The benefit when appointing a manager is that:

• the logon process manager – organisation made easy
• decision data for both strategic decisions and operational measures is available right from the first day
• shorter running-in time for both the manager and the organisation

For more about Taking over as manager, see our latest book, Livskraftigt ledarskap/Vigorous Leadership.