It’s not just experience that makes someone a great manager – it’s also charisma, confidence and brilliant communication. If you’re facing the prospect of acting as an interim manager, read on for our advice on how to fulfil this role successfully.
Clear communications
A key skill for those working in interim management is the ability to communicate clearly and with enthusiasm. This will involve active listening as well as guiding staff who are working towards a shared goal. Active listening, collecting feedback from staff and key stakeholders and being able to interpret business diagnostics are all key to successful communication.
The ability to adapt
As an interim manager, it’s essential to be flexible to the needs of the business and adapt your role accordingly. There will be challenges, so keeping an open mind and a positive attitude in the face of diverse situations is another must. According to Indeed, many interim managers are in the role during times of considerable change, so flexibility is key
Being a leader
As an interim manager, having strong and strategic leadership is something you must demonstrate in order to lead others towards a common goal. As a leader, you will anticipate challenges and find solutions; listen to your staff and react to feedback and formulate a strategy which is in line with business goals. Support from organisations such as https://iim.org.uk/ can be really beneficial for interim managers seeking advice on the role.
Strategic thinking
An interim manager works part-way between strategic ‘blue-sky’ thinking and being in touch with staff to get the job done. The ability to see both sides is a must.
Confidence to facilitate change
As an interim manager, you may be faced with a situation where change is needed – this may be due to changing business needs or an overhaul of processes. It takes confidence from an interim manager to acquire feedback, analyse where things could be better and make these changes. Challenging established norms in a business is not always easy, but is often key to success.
