Learning from George Bush about Graceful Transitions
At one time or another we will all be replaced in our job -- hopefully, it's a transition of our own choosing. I think the manner in which we leave and our willingness to welcome our successor is an important indicator of our own leadership qualities.
We've all seen what happens when a peer or boss wins a new job and has one foot out the door before the ink on the acceptance letter is dry. Productivity sags. We work harder to compensate. And our once favorable opinion of our co-worker is stained.
Leadership expert Michael Watkins gives President George Bush and his transition team high marks for how the switch to President-Elect Barack Obama is being handled.
"I can't help but admire our President's maturity and good judgment during this challenging time," writes Watkins. "And the tone has been set at the top."There are three characteristics of a successful transition that we can see operating in the Bush White House, and that we all can learn from, he continues:
- Focus is kept on the greater good.
- Incumbents accelerate the learning of the incoming team.
- The transition process is carefully staged.
In your experience, what are some of the best and worst transitions you've seen?