When Ibrahima Souaré took the reins as executive director New York Professional Advisors for Community Entrepreneurs Two years ago, he gained access to his predecessor, the recently retired and popular executive director Ken Inadomi.
“He was officially retired by the time I joined, so because he made himself available for the needs of the staff and the board, we were both able to connect with each other during my first three months at the helm of the organization,” Soare said.
Souray used the first five months as an observation period to build stronger relationships with her eight direct reporters by asking open-ended questions such as, What are your biggest challenges? And, How can leadership better support your work?
“I focused on understanding the dynamics of the organization, meeting with team members, familiarizing myself with ongoing projects and initiatives, connecting with the stakeholders we served, and being intentional about meeting with every single board member,” Souray said.
Despite the listening tour, there were some hiccups. Some team members were resistant to change and, looking back, Soare said he would have implemented more structured change management practices with more training, support and team-building activities upfront.
Sourey isn't the only professional to replace his esteemed predecessor. New “Wheel of Fortune” host Ryan Seacrest recently replaced the retired Pat Sajak after 41 seasons. During Seacrest's premiere episode last Monday, he greeted co-host Vanna White, the contestants and the audience.
“I am truly grateful to follow in the footsteps of the great Pat Sajak,” Seacrest said. “I can say, like the rest of America, that it has been a privilege and pure joy to watch Pat and Vanna on our television screens for an unprecedented 40 years, making us smile and feel at home with them every night.”
In February, Seacrest told Good Morning America: “I've studied the rule book, I've watched them do the show and I just can't wait to get started.”
“Hosting 'Wheel of Fortune' is a dream job,” he said. “I've been a fan of the show since I was a kid and watching it with my family in Atlanta, and I know how special it is that 'Wheel' has been in your living room for the last 40 years. And I'm so grateful to be invited. I also know I have some pretty big shoes to fill.”
Seacrest did a lot of preparation and told Ginger Zee on GMA that he “watched countless episodes of Pat and Vanna. We've played fake 'Wheel of Fortune' games in several cities across America, depending on where I am. On conference tables, in meeting rooms, we've had makeshift wheels and makeshift contestants for months to perfect the game and get the momentum down and hopefully make it all work.”
This isn't Seacrest's first rodeo — he faced plenty of adversity when he began hosting “Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest,” and he recently told Zee that the same lessons he learned there apply here.
“Don't make any changes, don't touch it. This show works. I just have to keep it moving forward,” he said. “We just have to have fun every night and I think if that happens, this show will be around for a long time,” Seacrest said.
He's not wrong — preparation is the key to moving up quickly and making your mark on an established, visible role. Financial services firm Edward Jones' 2024 studyBusiness succession is set to accelerate, and 69% of business owners who have created a succession plan have named a successor and are actively training and preparing them.
Even after planning, challenges always arise. Just ask Ramesh Srinivasan, co-dean of the CEO Leadership Program. Bower ForumSenior partner at global strategy and management consulting firm McKinsey and co-author “The Leadership Journey: How CEOs Learn to Lead from the Inside Out” (Portfolio).
“Taking over the reins from someone who has held bigger positions is no small feat,” he said. “It can be tough to follow… For new leaders, it's about finding the right balance – knowing what you bring to the table while listening carefully to stakeholders and being open to new ideas. Mastering these poles is the key to moving smoothly into your new role and creating a path for continued success.”
Andy Challenger, senior vice president at outplacement and executive coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, agrees.
“The first rule for new leaders is to communicate more,” he said. “People are afraid of change. If they're angry, there's always a sense of fear underneath it and that's something you can address with good communication and good plans.”
Maren Perry, Founder and CEO of a leadership development firm Arden Coachingadvised against rocking the boat on the first day.
“Don't change things all at once,” he said. “Don't announce your five-year plan to change the entire department. Start small, and don't go after something sacred to start. Add rather than subtract. Something like, 'We're going to add this brainstorming session rather than eliminate the favorite happy hour.'”
Although it's useful to have a transition period, it has to come to an end at some point so you can put your mark on things.
“If I'm coming into a new role, I don't want to be in his shadow, I don't want to be a replacement for the guy who's leaving,” Perry said. “I want to be the new leader of the team.”
Earlier this year, Nicole Joseph, 50, chief operating officer and finance director CM LawReplacing James Meadows, the firm's co-founder and chief financial officer, she was given 90 days to work with him and gain his input on financial strategy, policies, procedures and observations. She had another 90 days before Meadows left. The new COO took advantage of that time to move forward in her new role.
“As a founder, Jim understood the historical nuances that can only be achieved once you step into the role,” said Joseph. “I've been able to leverage my own expertise to grow and create unique solutions. I've found the staff to be very welcoming and appreciative.”
Overall, it's important that everyone sees change as a good thing.
“Different doesn't always mean bad – it can be better. Chocolate and strawberry ice cream, both very different, both great. And let's move forward with that attitude. It's a new beginning for everybody. That was a great era, this is a new era. How can I make this era great? If they [staff] Look at this as an opportunity, they are already in a better mindset. Patience and grace to all. Nobody likes change, everyone is in a difficult situation. We will all get through this together.”
