With all the focus on the inauguration, we should be reminded that most leaders have predecessors. How they treat the man or woman who goes before them sets them up for success or failure. Here are four things to remember when you take over:
1. Be appreciative. Unless the leader before you acted immorally or in a totally self-serving manner, make sure to express appreciation for his or her contributions however large or small they may be.
2. Be gracious. Extend the benefit of the doubt to the previous leader’s intentions and actions.
3. Be merciful. No matter how much you might disagree with the person who went before, you will have times as a leader when you need mercy. Give what you desire.
4. Be careful. You are yet unproven. The customer service advice to “under-promise and over-deliver” is good advice for leaders as well. Your treatment of your predecessor will be a visible example of how you treat others and what value you place on things like tact and diplomacy. Above all, avoid the appearance of an arrogance that assumes you’ll easily surpass the leader you replaced.
Mark, I agree with all four points. Another point I would consider is to listen: Listen to what your predecessor believed, talk to his/her former team members and glean the important ideas and policies they espoused. You are sure to find useful information. -Michael
Mark, I wish I had learned your lessons at an earlier stage of my life when I took over from a predessor whom I thought had done a poor job. (I wasn’t unkind, but I was — regretably — less than gracious.)
As I read through your suggestions, I recalled the Romans approach to eulogies — they should laud the dead (say good things about them) and lead the living (apply the lessons learned from their example). Even if your precessor is still among the living, lauding him/her and leading your new charges isn’t a bad idea.
Hey Mark: I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know you these last couple of days at the Wester Water Works conference. So much of what you shared the last two days has been resonating with me, and I am in the process of typing up all of my notes.
The words “Gradually then Suddenly” have stuck with me since Thursday night, and I am writing some ideas based around those words.
Again, I enjoyed getting to meet you, and hear you speak. I hope I get the opportunity again soon.
God Bless You and your family,
Fight On!
Ed Hart
USC Marshall School of Business
Mark,
Wonderful counsel, and advice that would profoundly affect and improve our political landscape, and our nations well being, if followed. Most entering public office over promise (a chicken in every pot) and under deliver (they are lucky to get a single wing or drum stick). Sadly, appreciativeness, graciousness and mercy might be signs of a candidates weakness by many pundits in our political environment today. Great counsel to our newly elected government leaders – lets hope and pray that they somehow see and get your message.