A new boss is always a big change — all the more so if it was the outgoing boss who hired you. But with the right approach, a changing of the guard can be an opportunity for you to get ahead.
Where do I start?
Begin with a reality check. Bosses come and go, and this is the kind of change you should always have at the back of your mind. Sometimes people feel a bit abandoned when their boss moves on, and it may feel personal if that boss had hired you — but it isn’t.
Next, find out why the new boss is joining, if you don’t already know. This is important: If your previous boss is leaving the company and the new boss is a direct replacement, that’s one thing. If the new boss has been brought in with a mandate to shake up your poorly performing team, then it’s quite another.
Once you know the background, do your homework on the new boss. What sort of person are they? How do they like to run a team? What’s their track record? If you know anyone who has worked for them, take that person out for a coffee. You’re not spying on your new boss or gossiping — you’re gathering valuable information that will help you deliver for them and get ahead.
What should I expect?
In a word, change. Everyone wants to make their mark. Even if the new boss is a “continuity boss” making limited changes, they are likely to have different ways of doing things, and they may well have a different management style. So, you need to be prepared to be flexible, adaptable, and open to new ways of doing things.
Get off to a good start
You never get a second chance to make a first impression. So, make sure you’re ready, even if your new boss is meeting the whole team together. Do a bit of thinking about obvious questions they might ask. Also, consider some intelligent, positive questions you can ask. If the meeting is one-on-one, you really need to prepare. Try to be confident, positive, and open. But be careful — you don’t know what preconceptions (if any) they have about you, and you don’t know what views they have. Although they are unlikely to be asking “gotcha” questions designed to catch you out, you need to keep your diplomatic antenna out and avoid controversial opinions or frivolous statements, or needlessly butting heads with them. Look for personal connections — shared interests such as family, sport, and hobbies — that will help break the ice and build rapport.
What if my previous boss left under a cloud?
Here you have a bit of a balancing act to perform. You want to be frank about what wasn’t working, but you also need to be positive and constructive. So, if you’re asked what can be improved, try to focus on the solutions and the future, not the problems and the past. Don’t moan about your old boss; it will make you look disloyal. If you are asked directly about problems that occurred under your old boss, answer factually, but avoid getting personal. A lot of this is about how you frame it. For example, saying, “Appraisals could have been more regular and robust” is better than, “He didn’t bother to give us appraisals.”
Look for opportunities
No matter how well you got on with your old boss, a new person will mean a chance to do things differently. So, think about the parts of your job that you dislike or want to change. How can you expand the role? Did your previous boss hold you back in any way? A new boss can be a real chance to redefine your job for the better.
Be there for your new boss, too. It’s going to be a steep learning curve for them. Focus on delivering what they need and making their life easier. If they are taking over an existing team, you may be able to position yourself as their invaluable go-to person. Understand what their goals are and how you fit into them. Don’t go too far, though. You want your boss to see you as competent and helpful, not a nuisance who constantly seeks engagement. Again, you need to strike a balance.
What do I need to watch out for?
The situation can be harder if the boss was brought in to sort out problems, particularly if they come with several of their own hand-picked people. You may feel like you are a lesser team member who is tainted by association with the past. The trick here is not to get into this mindset. Instead of seeing yourself as part of a discredited old order, position yourself as a confident, competent person who very much wants to be part of the new order. Work on relationships with your new teammates, as well as your new boss.
If things are tricky, ask for a one-to-one with your new boss. Explain that you want to deliver for them and draw a line under what went before. You were a good team player who did their best in difficult circumstances. Here it’s worth remembering that your boss probably wants to make things work too. Replacing staff can be a costly, productivity-sapping process.
What if it just doesn’t work?
Give it time. Change often takes a while to become effective. But don’t give it too much time. Perhaps you’re not part of your new boss’s vision, and, if things really aren’t working out, you need to have that conversation with them. Try and keep it constructive. Can you work elsewhere in the company? Is redundancy with a decent payoff an option? These things are often seen as very adversarial, but if you have the right attitude they can actually be quite cordial. You both tried, it didn’t work, and it’s nobody’s fault. You need to ensure you part ways in a manner that works best for both of you.
Rhymer Rigby is an FM magazine contributor and author of The Careerist: Over 100 Ways to Get Ahead at Work. To comment on this article or to suggest an idea for another article, contact Oliver Rowe at Oliver.Rowe@aicpa-cima.com.
Visit the Global Career Hub from AICPA & CIMA for help with finding a job or recruiting.
LEARNING RESOURCE
MBAexpress: Effective Change Management – V 2.0
Change is difficult, even when it is good and for right reasons. This course discusses various methods and ideas to consider in helping you navigate the turbulent waters when dealing with change.
COURSE
AICPA & CIMA RESOURCE
Podcast
“Bad Relationship With Your Boss? How to Fix It”, JofA, 15 April 2019
Article
“Managing Up Successfully for Career Advancement”, FM magazine, 27 July 2023
