"How Do I Make Changes to My Leadership Team?"

Quoted on this wiki

Every place a page here uses this source, in the order the words come in it.

1. Ask existing leaders to examine their roles. The most difficult reality of leadership changes is saying goodbye to some of the longstanding leaders who have created so much success for the company. Often, people know when things aren’t working, and as much as possible, you want to help them reach a decision rather than pushing them out. “This is often achieved by keeping these conversations open and fluid over time, and not waiting until the last minute to express concern over someone or constructive feedback on the job they are doing.” Think holistically about the impact of leadership changes. It's essential to consider how a leadership change impacts the company as a whole, not just immediate team members and direct reports, and not just the operations and results of a company. For example, if you’re hiring a new sales leader and instituting a different structure in the sales organization, what does that mean for marketing? For finance? What will it say about the culture of the organization and how might it impact people’s perspectives and work? Huddle with the leaders of those functions to align on what’s changing and how those changes will affect the way they work. It’s also important to consider a communication strategy that emphasizes the “why” and “so what” of changes.

   In Co-selling roles and handoffs

2. “This year, my company focused on efficiency rather than growth, and the same will be true next year. We’ve started bringing in new talent with different skill sets, but our leadership team has stayed the same. How do I know when it’s time to do the hard thing and make changes at the executive level? And how should I approach it?” “Efficiency, rigor, and results become paramount—which can spell change for your mandate as a leader.” Our guidance for founders is to think holistically. You can’t simply replace one executive with another; you have to change the culture of your organization. Articulate how the company needs to evolve, then ask yourself what type of leadership will help you achieve that goal. Keep the big picture in mind as you go through each step of the process, from making your initial decision to hiring new leaders and navigating the transition with your team.

   In Leadership and organizational changes

Quotes are verbatim and belong to their publishers. Where a quote has been translated, the original wording is kept below it.