You now how when someone nudges you and you’re on your heels you totally fall over? Or at least have to lurch backwards in a really awkward way and hopefully don’t knock a table over?
Vs.
When you’re planted with both feet on the ground, aware of coming punches and nudges? Someone can hit you with an idea or slap you on the back and you don’t fall over. You feel centered. Grounded. Calm. Ready.
In one scenario you have your footing, in another you don’t. The results of one is as if nothing happened – no worries – got this! The other, can be disastrous.
A leader without sure footing can be disastrous.
Think about plopping someone down in the middle of 37 ongoing projects with 17 new staff members to meet and learn about, and a board that is in a hurry to get results – even though they canned the last person in charge and you’ve had no training.
You don’t have your footing.
In this instance I’d go so far as to say “I expect you to knock over tables and I’ll help you clean up any messes – I trust you’re in the right place and will find your footing. Let me know how I can help.”
But often that is not how we talk to ourselves and that is not the message we may be getting from above…
So remember that sure footing takes time and awareness.. You can come in with a sense of calm confidence in what you do and still feel a bit wobbly – and that is to be expected. If you’ve been knowingly or unknowingly thrown in to manage the rubble of a former flailing leader:
- First, be patient with yourself.
- Remember that you’re a placeholder for others frustrations and while all that comes your way may not be accurate – it is a part of the job – congrats!
- Have empathy. The person who was here before you may have been out of their depth or may have had any number of crazy life situations take them out. The people who have been left in their wake want to do a good job – and they’ll need some time to recover.
- You’ve got this. They brought you in for a reason.
If you know someone who has been thrust into a less than ideal situation, share this with them, it can be one of the most uncomfortable situations in life. Knowing you see them and understand even a part of what is going on will be the empathy that they need.
If this is you, I see you, it sucks, you can do this. Comment below to hash it out if you need an ear.
Caryn