Leadership in any business is crucial and plays a pivotal role in how successful that organisation will be. Poor leadership results in poor performance, whereas positive leadership results in a great team spirit and a great portfolio of results.
Leaders can either help or harm a business. They have a significant impact on employees and a good leader will inspire engagement, loyalty, and a sense of purpose within their teams
Interim Leaders
In a nutshell, an interim leader is a leader who is appointed on a temporary basis. Their time in the role can vary, with an average tenure being around 8 months. Their purpose is to put their teams on the path of a successful trajectory that is sustainable long-term.
Leadership roles are often transitional, meaning that vacant posts arise when people move on. Interim leaders ensure that a vacancy is not left unattended while the recruitment process is ongoing for the right candidate who will take the post on a permanent basis. This allows for a thorough, unhurried recruitment.
They bring with them a wealth of experience from previous positions and are highly skilled at injecting innovation and positive change.
Interim leaders differ from interim managers. Whilst a manager is more concerned with the day-to-day running of a team, a leader is there to give a team direction, with the right strategy and vision.
Organisations for Interim Professionals
There is a wealth of help and support available for both interim leaders and interim managers. For example, https://iim.org.uk/ is an independent professional body for interim experts that serves to guide and support interim leaders and managers both in the UK and internationally.
Joining a community of like-minded, fellow interim professionals allows you to build up a network of support, realise your full potential, keep abreast of relevant industry resources and be kept informed on relevant legislation. By sharing experiences with other interns, you gain the opportunity for mentorship, collaboration and network-building opportunities that serve to strengthen your career and allow you to reach your full potential.
