Are you facing a scenario where a key member of your executive team is going on extended leave - for a variety of reasons - parental leave, a sabbatical, study leave or wellness leave, for six months? The dilemma of ensuring smooth business operations during their absence is all too real. You find yourself at a crucial juncture where the decision to engage an Interim Executive search firm or handle it internally needs serious consideration.
Let's weigh the options:
Internal Redistribution: You could redistribute tasks among existing team members, but often this results in decreased performance across the board. Individuals juggling multiple roles might find it challenging to maintain the same level of excellence.
Promoting Internally: Promoting someone from within the colleague's team into an "Acting" role might seem like a viable option, but it comes with risks. The individual "Acting Up" may not possess the required skills or experience, leading to dissatisfaction, or their expectations of 'going back' to their role can result in potential turnover.
Engaging an Interim Executive: Here’s where the game-changer enters. Bringing in an Interim Executive, someone with the precise skills and experience needed, can ensure continuity without compromising performance.
Does any of this sound familiar? You’re not alone. Many organisations face similar predicaments, and the choice between handling it internally or engaging an interim broker is pivotal.
Now, let’s talk about outcomes. Studies, such as the Interim Leadership Success Study by Helmut-Schmidt-Universität (2015), (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/371481092_Interim_Management) shed light on this. The findings are crystal clear: organisations that opt for an interim solution through an Interim Executive search firm report higher satisfaction levels compared to those handling recruitment internally.
Why is this the case? The study highlights the inherent value that professional interim firms bring to the table. Their structured processes and extensive experience in candidate evaluation and matching are unrivalled. This expertise ensures that the interim appointment is not just a stopgap measure but a strategic move towards seamless operations and fresh perspectives.
So, if you’re contemplating how to navigate the Interim Executive landscape, consider this: investing in the expertise of an interim search firm could be the difference between just getting by and thriving during transitions. Make the choice that sets your organisation up for success.
Contact Watermark's Interim Team today!
