Category Archives: Things to Look Out For

The Myth of the Flawless Outsider

Why is it that so many companies exhibit a strong preference for recruiting external hires to fill key leadership roles? Are these rational, data-based decisions, or are some decision-makers falling prey to hidden biases that could prevent them from placing the right person in the role? If so, then at what cost? Much has been […]

New to Your Job? Don’t Let Your Rival(s) Drag You Under

Whether you are a New Leader hired in from the outside or elevated to a role, there’s a good chance you will work with someone who is unhappy with your presence. We call these people rivals, and they are important to your success. Regardless of their feelings toward you, remember – they hold key historical, […]

New Leader Failure: A Problem or A Symptom?

Many of us in HR and leadership positions have experienced the same perplexing scenario – found a great candidate, placed them in a high-level role, held lofty expectations, and then they failed. And we almost always have said it happened because “they weren’t a good fit.”Are we really that bad at sizing up candidates? Were […]

What Surprises Await? The 4 Dilemmas that Can Derail Newly Promoted Leaders

You’ve worked hard, paid your dues, and earned a promotion. Enjoy the moment and celebrate your success. Then take time to recognize that some barriers and surprises may await you. Never fear – these challenges can be overcome, if you can identify and properly prepare for them. Certainly you never expected this transition to be […]

The Credibility Trap

Popular onboarding literature urges New Leaders to make their mark quickly, with impact, and gain credibility by generating immediate results. On the face of it, this approach resonates with many who are in the onboarding process. They want their employer to see them as an asset, and they are eager to demonstrate their value. However, […]

Identifying Your Rival(s): It’s Not Who You Think It is …

Rivals are Everywhere – Be AwareWhether you’re being brought in from the outside or elevated into a new role, there’s a good chance you will work with someone who wanted your job. There may be people in the organization that were interviewed, had been asked to interview and opted not to, or were not asked […]

Rivals Part 2: Bringing Them into The Fold

Last month we identified 5 different kinds of rivals, and we discussed the potential negative impact that they can have on Newly-placed Leaders. A rival is usually someone who was not a viable candidate for the role, but for some reason is unhappy with the presence of the New Leader.This month we’ll discuss some tools […]

Your New Team: Sizing Up, Investing In, or Trading Out

When New Leaders enter an organization, or advance by way of internal promotion, they often inherit a team to lead. Undoubtedly, stepping in as the New Leader can create a wave of concern – and even fear – among direct reports. Let’s face it, in the current business climate, it’s not unusual to see a […]