Every day we communicate with others both verbally and non-verbally. Every time we smile at another person, say “Hi” to someone, carry on a conversation or even purposely ignore someone, we are communicating.

Effective communication is a critical piece of our personal and professional lives. However, most of us rarely take the time to examine carefully just how we communicate and if we could have said it better. We often neglect simple communication tools and techniques despite their simplicity and availability.

Some people take control of conversations in a good way. They are precise and to the point. Getting your point across is important to successful business relationships. However, since good communication can be difficult because of time, patience, and effort it requires many people tend to say more than they should say.

I was interviewing a very qualified woman. On paper she appeared to be exactly what our team was looking for. However, the interview gave my team and I more insight and it was not exactly positive. The purpose of interview questions such as “Tell me a little bit about yourself,” is not an invitation to have a therapy session about your divorce, custody battle, or even your college fun adventures. Sometimes too much information can hurt you. In most of these cases it’s not about what you said, but rather about what you didn’t say.

It is okay to be a man (woman) of few words, just be sure your words are well selected and to the point.

Tips to help you get to the point:

• Be Prepared
• Stay focused on your conversation
• Maintain eye contact with your listeners
• Ensure your listeners understand by asking for questions or feedback
• Avoid becoming over-emotional or letting your temper/anger show
• Be concise and clear when speaking
• Avoid rambling ~ think what is my point
• Speak calmly and avoid raising your voice
• Be honest and tactful
• Be kind, compassionate and empathetic
• Maintain your confidence when speaking and listening

Utilizing these tips will help you to communicate with others in a more concise manner and avoid the get to the point eye roll or sigh.

There are many occasions when companies will utilize an Interim Manager or a fill in.  Depending on the significance of the position a company may ask a current employee to temporarily fill in while they look for a permanent position.  However, other positions often require an Interim Manager to be hired from the outside.
What is expected of an Interim?

Interim managers must have a balanced personality and approach their assignments with the needs of the whole company in mind.  He should not be easily put off by the amount of demands or the resistance from employees and colleagues.
A good interim manager must be able to fully understand and appreciate the company’s wishes. They have to be able to get along well together. It is also vitally important that the interim manager and the company come to an understanding concerning their mutual expectations.

An Interim must also be able to recognize and respond appropriately to power games from other employees.  He must also be able to listen to others and respond appropriately.  Those who were close to the previous Manager may feel slighted or have resentment against any Manager that fills in before giving him a fair chance.

Being an Interim Manager also requires the ability to build a relationship with the whole organization.  This is crucial so he can easily and properly delineate while helping the organization advance.

Flexibility is key and the most successful Interim Managers are often the ones that are not restricted by rate or location. You must also be able to quickly fit in with a diverse range of cultures and working environments.

Hiring an Interim….

Hiring for an Interim can be difficult, but the key is to remember it is a temporary position while you are looking for that perfect candidate.  However, you need your company to continue to run smoothly, which means the Interim must be able to keep up, hold his own and get the job done effectively.

When hiring an Interim you want to consider:  Does his experience and knowledge fit the assignment?  Has he had to deal with a similar type of problem or scenario before?  Does he seem like a team player but can stand his ground with employees?  Will this person be able to help our organization?

Success with an Interim Manager

• It is important to be specific of the expectations and time frame and how the outputs will be measured.
• Write a position description to provide clarity and ensure understanding of position.
• Upon hiring, negotiate the compensation as well as the contract terms including if the Interim may be hired as an employee or independent contractor.
• Ensure the Interim knows to whom they report and who will hold them accountable.
• Provide frequent feedback and have set meetings.
• Ensure the Interim has appropriate and adequate resources.
• Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

Hiring for or working as an Interim Manager is not much different than hiring or working as a Manager.  This is a way for a company to test the waters or to have the job get done while looking for that key Leader.  This is a great transition tool to help employees move from one leader to another.