Characteristics of an Interim Manager?
We receive a number of submissions from individuals who believe they could take on an Interim Manager roles.
During the interviews we conduct with all applicants, it relatively soon shows whether or not the person has what is required from a true Interim Manager in accordance with our many years of experience.
To help better help to understand the qualities of Interim Managers, it might be helpful to elaborate on the IS and the IS NOT characteristics of what we at HMH Vision consider an Interim Manager to be.
HMH Vision considers the following characteristics for Interim Managers:
IS
- Hands on senior-level professional
- Proven to deal with complex business situations
- Is highly task oriented
- Has demonstrated to deliver value
- Possesses significant industry sector and/or function experience
- Proven to be able to both operate and communicate across all levels of an organization
- Has clearly demonstrated leadership capability and hence a proven record to manage and lead people.
- Has the ability to analyze, simplify, develop and present plans leading to results
- Is highly adaptable
- Possesses highly developed influencing skills
IS NOT
A person who has been at management level in a business and is looking for a job
Interim Management is a really specialized profession that requires highly qualified people who have gained specific knowledge in a variety of business sectors, as well developed very strong management and leadership skills. Most great Interim Managers who have delivered had reached the very top within their careers and are now attracted by new challenges, such as significant change projects in which they can fully utilize their over many years obtained know-how.
A general Employee who wants to improve something
The purpose of an Interim Managers work is to make themselves “not required as fast as possible“. Hence their ambitions are definitely not focused on developing their own role within the organization during their assignment. The foremost priority is to achieve results to a defined schedule and then leave the organization having implemented an exit strategy which ensures the continuity of the implemented operational strategy.
A Consultant
In consulting, projects are usually entrusted to knowledgeable people who advise and propose strategies. This suggests that they remain somewhat more external to the company management structure. As Interim Manager it is essential to not only propose but put into action and implement as a true leader the necessary actions to bring about the required change. This requires a different profile in terms of seniority, experiences and ability to take responsibility.