Political Dilemmas at Work: How to Maintain Your Integrity and Further Your Career

Understand That People Are Resisting the Interim, Not You Personally

The temporary nature of your role means that attitudes toward you will be different than if your appointment was permanent. If the new boss is going to be a permanent fixture, then employees and colleagues start to invest in the relationship, knowing that this is someone they will need to establish a productive working relationship with.

With you as the interim boss, this will still be important because there is always a chance that you may become permanent. But it is natural and more common for people to invest less. Why bother building a strong bond with the interim boss, when someone else might be here next week?

Often, people show less respect, commitment, and motivation toward the interim. Sometimes people will become more direct and less diplomatic with you—sometimes blunt or even aggressive. It seems to matter less if the interim is upset. In normal peer discussions, resistance to each other’s proposals is usually respectful. It is too risky personally to damage a relationship with a team member. But with interims, there is a good chance that they won’t be around for long. The outcome of this kind of thinking is often less respect and care. As an interim, it can be easy to allow this apparent rejection to damage your confidence and self-esteem. You need to focus on the fact that they are rejecting the impermanence of the interim, rather than you personally.

In our example, Adrian is clearly experiencing ...