When your business faces transition, unexpected departures, or critical projects requiring specialist expertise, bringing in an interim professional can be transformational. However, the difference between successful interim placement and missed opportunity often comes down to how well you brief and onboard them.
At Thrive Interim Search, our search consultants have all been in interim roles themselves. We know that these seasoned professionals are ready to hit the ground running, but only if they’re given the right foundation.
Setting your Interim up for success
Interim professionals thrive on solving complex problems, but they need the full picture. Whether you’re covering maternity leave, managing transformation, or steadying the ship during turbulent times, honesty allows them to apply expertise effectively from day one.
In my 25+ years in this field, I have learned that the best interim placements happen when there’s complete transparency. These are experienced professionals who have seen it all. They’re not overwhelmed by challenges; they’re energised by them.
Success needs to be clearly defined. What does good look like at the end of an assignment? Interim professionals are results-driven, and clear success metrics help them prioritise efforts where they’ll have the greatest impact. Whether stabilising operations, delivering specific projects, or preparing ground for permanent successors, be explicit about expectations.
Skills matter, but so does cultural fit. Share the cultural context with them. Brief your interim on company values, communication styles, and team dynamics. This helps them adapt their approach to work effectively within your environment.
The first 100 days – Make every moment count
Effective interim leaders spend their first week listening and learning. Schedule time with key stakeholders, provide access to relevant documentation, and create space for understanding the business landscape.
By the end of their first month, good interims will have identified quick wins whilst building relationships that underpin longer-term success. They should understand team strengths, identify process improvements, and begin implementing changes that demonstrate early value.
From months two and three onwards, this is where interim professionals really add value. With relationships established and systems understood, they drive strategic initiatives and deliver the substantial changes your business needs.
Common pitfalls to avoid an information vacuum
From my experience, there are three main ways organisations undermine their interim placements. First is creating an information vacuum. Don’t leave your interim to piece together essential information through corridor conversations. Create comprehensive handover documentation and ensure key team members understand the interim’s role and authority.
Second is micromanagement. You’ve hired an interim for their expertise, so trust them to get on with the job. Regular check-ins are valuable, but allowing autonomy to lead is essential for success.
Third is unclear authority. Ensure the organisation understands the interim’s decision-making authority. Nothing undermines effectiveness like teams questioning whether they can actually make suggested changes.
Why our approach works
Having placed many interim professionals, I’ve learned that successful placements require the right mindset, cultural awareness, and communication style. Because all our search consultants have personal experience as interim leaders, we know what questions to ask and red flags to watch for.
We don’t just place interims, we set them up for success. Our ongoing progress checks and support throughout assignments ensure both client and interim get maximum value from the partnership. We also provide coaching and development support to help interim professionals transition effectively, reducing time to productivity and maximising impact during assignments.
Getting value from day one with interim professionals isn’t down to luck. It requires preparation, clear communication, and setting the right foundations. When you invest in proper briefing and onboarding, you unlock the full potential of these experienced problem-solvers.
At Thrive Interim Search, we believe that when interim professionals thrive in their assignments, businesses succeed in their objectives. It’s not just about filling a gap; it’s about driving results that matter.
Are you ready to discuss how an interim professional could support your business objectives? I’d be happy to have an informal conversation about your specific needs.
