Photo by Daniele Levis Pelusi, Unsplash
A client recently got a great new corporate position that he is really excited about. He will be serving in a leadership role, but for the first time in a long career, has been hired as someone’s deputy in managing a large, multifaceted unit. This person has always worked as a very successful team member, mentor, and senior expert on self-driven and team projects, but the deputy position is new to him. In considering his future role, some of his primary questions are:
— What is the decisionmaking process, and how do I fit in?
— Do we split or share duties?
— Can I make decisions when my boss isn’t there?
— Can I make budget or HR policy without my boss?
— How much can I suggest new ways of doing things?
— How much discretion to I have to make programmatic changes?
— What if we don’t get along?
Two of the key components of being an excellent deputy are clear communication and acting transparently. The better you understand the Boss’s expectations, the easier it will be to work harmoniously and make your own positive mark on the organization.
Have an agreed upon approach to decision making. Ask how open he/ she is to new approaches, and how she’d like you to introduce ideas.
Determine whether you will be wholly responsible for certain management tasks and areas of responsibility— budgeting, HR decisions, respresenting the organization at particular corporate meetings, etc.
Decide how to communicate and keep each other informed. Whether this is weekly or daily check in meetings, a updates on slack or another shared platform, be sure you are in a state of constant, open dialogue.
Remember that a primary role of a deputy is to enact the Boss’s vision. Offer ideas for positive change, but be ready to support the Boss’s position, even if it differs from your own.
Most importantly, serving as a deputy is an excellent opportunity to learn. Learn the systems, understand how to navigate the organization at a new level, adopt best practices of your boss, and start a mental inventory of behaviors you’d like to emulate (as well as leave behind) when you ascend to the top role.