Imagine you’ve been recently hired to be the CEO of a small family run company. The company has about 60 employees who’ve never heard of you. And you’re younger than most of the employees by at least 20 years. In their eyes, they see you as just a baby in diapers.
“Who’s this young guy? And what’s he doing here? Come on, I have to now listen to this youth!? I bet he last 2 months before he gives up…”
As you stand up on the podium to address the company, what should you say?
First, you start by acknowledging the elephant in the room – you’re young and relatively inexperienced.
Be humble and tell them that you have a lot to learn from them.
Spend as much time one on one with each of your direct reports. Take them out for lunch. Get to know them as thoroughly as possible. You can’t lead them anywhere unless they like and want to follow you.
Avoid making major changes within the first 3-6 months as you get up to speed.
Lean on the old CEO and encourage her to personally endorse you as head of the company. This will ease the fears for the majority of the employees.
Recognize that about 10% of the employees will not be behind the decision. They won’t follow you because you’re young or maybe you have an MBA or some other reason. That’s normal. Change is always scary for some.
And above all, be grateful for the opportunity to lead them. Make them feel that you will carry on the legacy and take the company to a better place. That you’ll make the founder proud.
You might have some teething problems, but if you stay humble, then you’ll grow into a leader. One that they can admire and respect.
Not bad for a baby in diapers after all.
A New Source Code 