CIO — Imagine that you have your IS organization under control. Priorities are in order, targets are being met and everything is running smoothly. You decide to take a well-earned vacation. But on your return you discover that a management shuffle means you have a new boss.
How you react to this news can be either a career-enhancer or a career-killer. I have seen some otherwise excellent leaders stumble in these situations. Here are some things you can do to ensure a successful transition.
Expect Change
Don’t delude yourself into thinking your job might not change. A new boss will almost always bring a new set of expectations and priorities. A new boss will want to put her own stamp on the organization. Demonstrate your openness to the changes. Now is not a good time to be defensive.
Find out what brought about the change in management. Is this a normal rearrangement of the deck chairs? Was someone promoted elsewhere, generating a ripple effect? Was there some discontent (perhaps unknown to you) with the organization’s status quo? Knowing the reasons will help you craft a strategy for succeeding in the new order of things.
Take the time to study the new boss’s management approach. This will help you respond appropriately to the changes. What kind of communication is most effective?written, verbal, graphic? Is he interested in details or only an overview? Will he be involved in technical decisions or focus on the business issues? Does he like to be the star, the visible leader of the organization? Is he a nurturer who will be interested in your development and success? Knowing these things early on can save you many missteps.How can you determine these things? The most direct way is to simply have a conversation with the new boss and ask about his requirements. You can follow that up by talking with others who have worked for and with him in the past. This will confirm or emphasize those critical elements of management style.
Get with the Program
Because of your experience, you can be a big factor in the success of your new boss. Visibly support her ideas and actions. Provide insight on potential problems and sacred cows. Supply background on projects and other initiatives.
Some people resent the notion that part of their job is to make the boss look good. But no one wins if the head of the organization loses respect and support from vital decision-makers. Make yourself part of the new success.
