How to prepare someone to take your place
At some time, you will need an assistant capable of slipping into your management position at a moment's notice. That person will probably come from the ranks of experienced employees you have identified as potential leaders. Indeed, your own promotion may well depend on having someone who can step immediately, in an acting or permanent capacity, into your role with minimum disruption. How can you find and prepare someone for this responsibility?
1. Be aware of the benefits of training a successor.
It is astute for a manager to select and develop a top assistant for a number of reasons. Consider the following:
- There'll always be someone to take over when you're absent. You might be absent through unexpected illness, accident, or vacation - but knowing that a well-trained replacement is in charge back at the workplace will provide you with peace of mind.
- You'll have more time for other things. A trained successor can take on some of your managerial duties during your busiest periods, and take care of some of those tasks you never seem to get around to.
- You'll always be ready for promotion. If you are given the opportunity to move up, you'll be able to guarantee there's a trained person capable of taking over your old job immediately.
- You can devote more time to public relations activities. Step out and improve the image of your company and yourself in the community, safe in the knowledge that there's someone capable of 'minding the store'.
2. Make the decision today.
For some managers, it can be a tough decision electing to hand over the reins of responsibility and authority for their organisation or department. But if you're in doubt, weigh the balance by making two lists. In the first, list those things that might happen if you don't train a successor; in the second, list those things that might happen if you do develop a replacement. Compare both lists - and you'll be convinced of the need to prepare for succession.
3. Know what you're looking for in a successor.
A capable assistant is most often the one whose strengths match your weaknesses rather than one whose strong points match yours: two dynamic and assertive individuals are apt to set the wrong kind of sparks flying. Make a list of the qualities you're seeking - for example, loyalty, a healthy attitude towards the job, the company and staff members, good communicator, relevant skills, experience, common sense, intelligence, a self-starter, ambition, energy, popular… With these qualities, plus initiative, your selection can readily be taught to cope with the additional authority and responsibility of your position.
