SPRINGING FORWARD

DON’T SPRING SUCCESSION

Lack of planning for future talent needs can cripple an organization.  Springing ‘opportunities’ on unsuspecting and underprepared employees, sets them and your organization up for failure.

 

At the most basic level, as you evaluate the preparedness of current employees to successfully expand their role within your organization, begin by asking yourself these questions:  

1. How well is the potential internal candidate performing within his/her current role?  
2. Does the prospective candidate possess the experience and qualifications to successfully fulfill a majority of the requirements of the new position?  
3. Is the candidate willing to step away from current responsibilities and be a transition support for the person assuming their current duties?  
4. Is the candidate enthusiastic about the opportunity to step into a new role within the organization? 
5. How familiar is the candidate with the role, responsibilities, priorities, and desired outcomes of the succession position? 
6. Does the candidate you are considering possess the interpersonal skills necessary to be successful in working with others in the succession position?  
7. Is the candidate adequately trained and/or willing to ramp up technical and/or interpersonal skills? 

In the short-term, the more questions you can answer ‘Yes’ to, the better the chance for success.  For those questions where your answer is ‘No’ or ‘I don’t know’, thoroughly investigate, develop and implement action plans and transition timeframes to ensure succession success. 

If you believe your organization could benefit from some outside I/O support in developing a solid succession planning process, contact Dr. Mel, askdrmel@aol.com.    

 

“Everyone can change.  Everyone can learn.  Everyone can get a little better.”

--Marcus Buckingham

CONTROVERSY AS A SPRINGBOARD TO LEADERSHIP SUCCESS

A new movie opened this past weekend amid great controversy.  It’s been interesting to take note of the ‘water cooler’ and breakroom discussions on the topic of Noah.  In fact, I can say I’ve never heard Noah discussed with such animation and passion as in the last couple of days. 

Since it’s a ‘hot topic’, let’s consider 10 good leadership lessons from the original Noah:

1. Don’t miss the boat.
2. Remember that we are all in the same boat.
3. Plan ahead – it wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.
4. Stay fit – when you’re very old someone may ask you to do something really big.
5. Don’t listen to critics – just get on with the job that needs to be done. 
6. Build your future on high ground.
7. For safety’s sake travel in pairs.
8. Speed isn’t always an advantage – the snails were on board with the cheetahs.
9. When you’re stressed, float a while.
10. Remember that amateurs built the ark; the titanic by professionals. 

So, which piece of Noah wisdom do you need to keep in mind to make April a month for your effectiveness to spring forward? 

“The time you save in not making changes and taking risks can be used to perfect current practices.  Your employees will be grateful to you for letting them know exactly where they stand – and will reward you by being unimaginative, uninspired and unhappy.”

--Donald Whitham,

Supervisory Special Agent

FBI Academy