Big shoes to fill

PROMOTION: Everybody liked your former boss. Now she’s gone — and you’re sitting at her desk. Taking over from a popular leader is not easy, but there are ways of dealing with it, career experts say.

“Face the reality of how difficult it will be,” says Marshall Goldsmith, author of Succession: Are You Ready? “Don’t kid yourself that it’s going to be easy,” Goldsmith told the Financial Times. “But remember it’s not personal either — these are challenges anyone would face.” Goldsmith suggests asking your predecessor to help you get to know people who can assist you in your new role.

Don’t try to be like your former boss, warns Bill George, professor of management practice at Harvard Business School and a director of ExxonMobil and Goldman Sachs : “You should be yourself. Have the courage to make changes.” George adds that the most important thing “is having a view of what your long-term impact is going to be”.

When thinking about staff, look for a combination of experienced personnel and new hires, says Elisabeth Marx of therecruiting firm Heidrick & Struggles: “You want to keep some core elements but set your own agenda and style.”

"It won't be easy — but it's not personal either," says Marshall Goldsmith.

If you face resistance to your plans, Goldsmith advises a firm approach. Ask your staff if they are willing to change loyalties and to support you. “If they can’t, move them into retirement. You can’t have people pining for your predecessor.”

Never criticize your former boss, Goldsmith adds. “Respect your predecessor’s success. And if you’re asked why you’re doing things differently, talk about changing global conditions.”

Meanwhile,look on the bright side, Elisabeth Marx counsels. “Although it is a double challenge, there are big pluses, too,” she says. “You have a great role model and your team will be inspired and geared up. It should also give you confidence that a company that had this charismatic, high-impact leader has chosen you as a replacement.”