Edition 490 – Big Shoes
I caught up with a friend and colleague, recently, for coffee. We’ve known each other for yonks. Probably 25 years. We’ve played in the same space, in the same area, for a while, and our professional trajectories, whilst originally quite close, have shot off in two completely different directions.
As we’re talking over life, adult and near to adult children, ageing parents, and the type of work we’re each engaged in these days, the topic of their “what’s next” came up. An opportunity has presented itself, to take over the role of someone who themselves is transitioning to something different in life.
I gathered a sense of anxiety about my friend’s impending move. Not to the point of preventing them from proceeding. More from the viewpoint of not wanting to let people down. Like, the person that introduced them to this fantastic new opportunity, or the people that they will now be professionally associated with. These are big shoes to fill, and the loss of the transitioner will be felt, to some degree, by the people they themselves have engaged with, over many years.
“Just be you. Don’t try to be them” was my comment as we’re wrapping up proceedings. “You’re really good at what you do. I’ve seen you in action. You’ve got your own style and way of doing things, and its great”.
I could see my friend’s shoulders loosen, as a small, but perceptible, sense of relief emanated, and some grateful words were offered from them, in return.
When you’re looking to promote people inside an organisation, don’t look for a clone of the last person that sat in the chair. Look for someone, that will add their own flair to the role. Let them bring themselves to the position, not an imitation of the former occupant.
Similarly, in family businesses, when it’s time for the matriarch or patriarch to step aside, don’t necessarily assume it’s the eldest that should step into the senior role. Nor, again, should the family appoint Mum or Dad’s one generation down doppelgänger to keep running the show. Quite often, that’s fatal, as invariably, comparisons are too easily made between how Mum or Dad did it, and how Junior does it.
A different personality, or style, stepping into a long standing role is not about “preserving” what’s there. It’s about building on it, to morph the business, or the service offer. Quite often, the new approach, brings in new people, who may never have considered previously, the service that was on offer. Focus on the opportunity to “build upon” the existing, strong foundations.
In an age where we’re surrounded by so much that is fake, in the media, in society and amongst those that are supposedly our leaders, what I believe people are looking for, in most relationships, is for the people they deal with to be authentic. They want “you” to be “you”, and not someone else. That way, you can be trusted, for who you are, and what you bring to the table.
When a new opportunity opens up, wear your own shoes to the role. They’re well worn, comfortable, and offer the support that you need, to perform at your best.
This Week’s Tip
“Quite often, we don’t see in ourselves, what others do. Yet, if we took the time to ask, we might be surprised at what others value, and how much they value it.”