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VIEWPOINT

Transient promotion is chance to demonstrate capabilities

Congratulations! So you have nailed the chance to fill in for your boss while he takes a year’s sabbatical from his career. Or perhaps the project leader of your team quit suddenly and you have been asked to hold fort till the project gets completed.

While much of the power and the soaring excitement that comes with an interim promotion seem oh-so-near-oh-so-real, there is a distinct difference between a temporary elevation and a permanent one. In this case, your hold on the position is purely superficial and time bound-- you may soon be back to your old job. So how do you get the bulge on a transient promotion before you come down to earth with a thud?

Well, it is certainly not the same thing as a substantive move up the career ladder, but nonetheless it is an opportunity to demonstrate your capabilities, build new skill-sets, cultivate leadership qualities, and significantly, get in the orbit of higher ups who could give a boost to your career. So treat it with the same seriousness as you would a real promotion.

Start off on the right foot with your predecessor. Be careful not to step on too many toes and egos at this point, and make it clear that you don’t intend being a threat to your old boss. There is a real possibility that you will have to forfeit the position back to him, and a conflict or unnecessary misunderstanding is definitely something you could do without.

Clearly understand the requirements and nature of the position you are stepping into. Given the provisional nature of your job, you probably will not be vested with all the rights and powers of your boss.

It is sensible to not overstep limits or create a bad impression that could sabotage your prospects. Knowing what exactly is expected of you will make the transition smoother.

This is an opportunity to draw some limelight on yourself and prove that you are leadership material. As a stand-in, you will be closely monitored and comparisons are inevitable, so prepare to deliver a stellar performance. Show that you are eager and ready for a new position and a better salary, and make it easy for your company to validate the temporary arrangement into a permanent promotion. Work hard at your job and concentrate on being a good boss, for your new subordinates may have a say when appraisal time comes around.

Sometimes you may have to straddle two jobs—your job and your boss’s too. This can get to be a bit too much, and for your own good health and sanity, it is better that you delegate some of your jobs to others.

To be good at your job and to be irreplaceable is good but don’t indulge in too much of turf guarding. After all, when you have the opportunity to learn something new and take on higher responsibilities; it is only fair that you share your good fortune with others.

If an opportunity arises for substantiating the temporary promotion, management too will have little reservations about finding suitable replacement for your old position.

The transition from associate to leader can sometime even be stressful; especially when you are managing the people who were your peers a couple of weeks ago. Some of them may even be feeling a bit jealous.

Now you have to regain the respect of these people and get accepted as their supervisor and coach. It will not be easy, but it can be done if you proceed with caution and focus on building strong relationships based on trust.

You may have to relinquish your new found power once the rightful occupant of the chair makes a comeback. Getting back to your old job will seem a real downer now, but you need to accept reality with grace.

If you have done a long stint at the new job and have a good record and skill-set to speak for it, you may consider asking your employers to help you look for alternative career options at the higher grade.

While an interim promotion may not bring as many things to cheer about as a promotion, it is an opportunity nevertheless, and you are just half a step away from keeping the job for yourself. So give it your best shot, you may be surprised with the windfall break it brings to your career!

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