Change is a constant in today’s fast-moving workplace, so it’s good to know what you need to do when you move on, and someone else takes your place. Mover-and-shaker Dave Luis explains all.
I’ve changed jobs, again. Last time, it was thanks to nurturing my networks that a sudden retrenchment was not a disaster, as I stepped seamlessly into a new job, albeit on a temporary contract. Then my dream job opened up at the same company, and I was appointed in the permanent role.
Starting a new job in the same company comes with challenges that can unravel the most organised and proficient among us. I am a good Piscean boy: far more creative than organised. There were moments of terror in the lead-up to the change, but – huge sigh of relief – I sailed through.
The chap replacing me in my old job also came from the same company, so there was a carefully orchestrated handover process involving three departments. Here’s what we learned:
1. Make lists. List everything. Not only the key performance indicators, but also the mundane everyday tasks not listed on the job description. Make a list of contacts in the company that the new guy needs to know. List the suppliers that keep the department running like the well-oiled machine you inherited and are now handing over. Most importantly, list the projects that are still up in the air and that the new guy needs to complete. Otherwise, the old job will follow you into your new role, and distract you from being the great employee you need to be.
2. Make introductions. You don’t want the new guy to run to your desk every five minutes asking “Who gets the invoices?” or “Who does the flight bookings?” or even “Who makes the coffee?” (The new guy, of course!) Introduce the new guy in person to everyone they’ll work with. Then do email introductions to all the suppliers, and thank them for their support. Make them feel special, so that they’ll go out of their way to help the new guy. You have your own new suppliers to engage. You might need those suppliers in your new position, so treat them well.
3. Don’t be a control freak. When you’re doing your handover, let the new guy take the reigns and do some of the tasks. They’ll learn faster, and you can let go of the old position sooner.
4. Just say no. Say no to your new boss-to-be when tasks come your way before your official start date. While you want to take over, your responsibility still lies with your soon-to-be-ex-boss. And once the new job starts, you need to say no to your now-ex-boss when an old task is too much for the new guy, who will learn by trying and failing.
5. Let go. This is an area of my life I have difficulty with. Letting go is never easy, but after a week or so in the new job, you need to let go of the old one. Don’t drop in to your “old team” to find out how they are doing and offer to help. Don’t yell out “Hi, Old Boss!” as your old boss walks past. This just makes your new boss think you want to be back on the old team.
If you’re a recruiting manager in any big office, print out this list and hand it to any employees changing teams in your office. It could be a life-saver.
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