Field Notes

Following a popular and effective predecessor can undermine the self-confidence of a new leader. 

Strong leaders who have held the role for a long time are a particularly tough act to follow. It is easy for leaders who follow an exceptional leader to feel self-conscious and less sure of their skills and talents. 

Those who replace a favored leader are tempted to compare their accomplishments and strengths to those of the predecessor. Making such comparisons leads them to believe everyone else is doing the same thing. 

When they don’t match up to the many qualities and outcomes of the predecessor, they become unnerved and act defensively to prove they are worthy of the role. Now out of their comfort zone, they double down in doing things they normally don’t. All at a cost of their authenticity.

To overcome feelings of inadequacy and diminished confidence, smart leaders do their best to avoid all comparisons to the prior leader and insist on looking forward and not backward. More importantly, they focus on their own unique strengths and embrace what they can contribute to the team. 

Rather than thinking they are operating in the shadow of a great predecessor, they envision themselves standing on the shoulders of someone who created a strong foundation from which they can advance the team. They don’t think of themselves as competing with the former leader. Instead, they honor the former leader’s work by pushing the team forward with their own strengths and talents. 

The perspective the new leader takes from the moment they show up is what others see and feel. If they are focused on the predecessor and not the team and work ahead, they will be judged harshly for who they aren’t. 

But by briefly thanking the previous leader and then ignoring any comparison, they create the freedom to lead authentically based on their own skills and talents. People have a short memory for the past when the future grabs their attention. Great leaders are always about tomorrow and not yesterday.