What makes a Professional Interim really great?
I would say as well as having broad skill-sets characterised by change and project management across a wide variety of sectors, different sized business and international exposure overseas. I believe that there are a number of key traits in becoming a really successful interim consultant.
The following traits I have detailed below I always bear in mind when embarking on a new interim assignment to ensure I do a really great job for my client.
Keep Fit: I am a serious Chinese martial arts practitioner (Wing Chun)- this sport helps keep me focused, maintain body, mind and spirit and helps me achieve self-control and longevity.
Relaxation: I play the piano after committing to purchase a Yamaha U3. I often find playing the piano does wonders and provides an element inspiration and creativity to my life.
Professional Maturity: I am comfortable in my own skin which has come with age; I recognise the value I can bring to the client; not afraid to challenge constructively and more interested in success of the client collectively rather than my own goals.
No Ego: I am only concerned about making my clients look good. I am focused on helping the client succeed and less interested in what this means for me. I am not a political player and am prepared to be hands on and get stuck in and get the job done.
Flexible: As client goalposts shift – which is life – I adapt and flex with this too.
Engagement and Developing Others: I take those in the organisation long with me – I don’t upset the apple cart but equally I am unafraid to challenge constructively. There is a benefit of developing and empowering others.
Clear Planning and Vision: foresight and planning is key for me whilst making sure my legacy solution is sustainable once I exit the client, having successfully completed the assignment. Skilled at simplifying complexity task and problems and taking others with me is paramount.
Autonomous and Independence: in managing the assignment and client objectives set. I never assume the client will, always come up with a game plan, as I normally often need to guide them! I tend to be independent in career terms.
Strategically Minded: Balanced with a ‘roll sleeves up’ attitude, I am clear about why I am here for the client and how I want to and will approach the assignment.
Enthusiastic: I have bags of energy, where I often see teams at their most vulnerable, sustaining others during periods of change and upping morale during crisis helps.
Resilient: People can often be sceptical, so resilience is key whilst working with the client’s personnel.
Self-Driven and Motivated: Both in terms of my career management and how I operate on assignments. I normally push myself hard as I am fixated on delivering and give the client value for money, by hitting the ground running from day one.
I hope this is helpful insight.
Dee Singh Kothari is a senior partner in Kothari Partners
Ideas expressed and/ or methodologies in this article are solely of the authors. The author nor Kothari Partner’s accept any liability for the incorrect application of these ideas either used by companies, employees or other individuals alike.
At Kothari Partners, we have worked with various UK and overseas listed and PE/ VC backed clients across various industries to consider how their business and finance services can bring them both cost reductions and performance improvement. Our approach is to help our clients understand their current situation, identify the value and decide on the scope, vision and set of strategies for what they could achieve for their business. We help plan their implementation and support them and deliver the solution/ change needed, so it is properly and permanently embedded in their organisation. We aim to help past and future clients by delivering high-quality work to their organisation, generate real efficiencies and free up time to support better business decisions.
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