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Interim

Even though interim is simply the Latin term for temporary it is often used for a role related to management.

Are you struggling to find the right candidate for a team lead position? Then consider using an Interim.

Many have already a full packed day as manager of the department. Adding the workload of handling the daily tasks to manage one of the teams in the department is often the consequence when a team lead leaves her or his position or has a period of absence.

The outcome of taking on this extra workload as department head can in the end be critical to the team spirit. None of us like to be in the vacuum that comes from no or very little attention nor appreciation from management. If a team lead position is left un-filled for too long, this can result in the team members feeling forgotten. And since it takes time from a good valuable employee decided to leave until it actually happens, the scene is set for the new team lead starting the role by receiving several resignations.

This is not a response to the new team lead, but a result caused by the lack of an interim.

Do not turn a single replacement into multiply replacements. Hire an interim.

Leading a team

Entering a role as interim team lead is to me no different than entering a fixed role as team lead.

Employees in different countries have different expectations to the direct leader. In some cultures, it is expected that the team lead is the expert, capable of taking all decisions. In other cultures, it is much more abount mentoring the team members to work together across desks and groups. Encouraging the team to dare take the decisions, where the highest level of knowledge sits.

Danish culture is strongly supporting this delegation of decision making. But it does not happen by itself. 

Leading a team is in my view all about spotting the strength and weakness of each individual, both in relation to technical competencies and in relation to mental well-being. Even the most competent employee will break under a too high workload - spotting this before it happens is among other a team lead responsibility.

Leading a team is also about creating an efficient work enviroment. Creating efficient workflows through structure and non-bureaucratic processes helps to gain efficiency . And it gives satisfaction for everyone only to focus on the value adding part.

Having a strong technical background and a structured mindset as team lead, gives me the strength to step in with a supporting hand when the decision making is difficult or the process needs improvement.