The client's perspective on interim management - why skills development is crucial
When companies hire an interim consultant, it's about more than filling a temporary gap. It's about ensuring that the right person steps in and makes a difference from day one. It's crucial for clients to feel confident that the interim manager they hire has the right skills, the right tools and an up-to-date understanding of today's leadership challenges.
Eva Lundqvist, an experienced HR director and CEO, has been using interim consultants to drive change in her organizations for many years. She sees the new academic training for interim managers as a quality mark for the industry - a signal that an interim consultant not only has experience, but also the right tools to deliver results.
The fact that there is now an academic education in interim management is brilliant. It gives a stamp of quality that makes it easier for us as clients to feel confident in our choice of interim consultant. We know they have the right tools and an up-to-date understanding of how to deliver in the best way.
Peace of mind for both client and consultant
Eva emphasizes that certification is a signal of security not only for the client - but also for the consultant. With an academically based education, the interim manager gets a structured toolbox and a methodology that strengthens their ability to quickly adapt to new assignments.
When an interim consultant has undergone training like this, we know they're not just relying on past experience - they have a methodology behind them that makes them even more effective. It provides a completely different level of security for us who hire them," says Eva Lundqvist.
Leadership is a hot commodity - the interim manager must keep up to date
Leadership is not a static skill, but a dynamic process that is constantly changing as new trends, technologies and working models develop. Research in leadership and organizational development shows that effective leaders need to continuously develop their way of leading to meet new demands from both organizations and employees.
According to a report from Harvard Business Review 40 % of the skills required for a leadership role change in just five years. McKinsey & Company has in turn identified that agile and adaptive leadership styles has become crucial in a world where the pace of change has never been higher.
Everyone needs to practice their leadership skills. It's a perishable commodity. The world is changing fast, and if we want interim consultants to create real value, they need to be up to date on the latest leadership trends and change methodologies," says Eva Lundqvist.
In recent years, we have seen several shifts in how organizations expect leaders to act:
- Digitalization has reshaped how teams collaborate. Leaders must have the tools to build relationships, motivate and create a strong culture - even when employees are not in the same place
- The pandemic showed that businesses need leaders who can adapt quickly, manage uncertainty and make strategic decisions in a crisis. Interim consultants are expected to be agile problem solvers who can identify opportunities and implement changes at short notice
- Understanding how AI and data impact business strategies is increasingly important. An interim manager who understands how data can be used to make better decisions has a major competitive advantage
- Employee demands for transparency and inclusion have increased. Successful interim managers therefore need to be strong communicators and change leaders who can create engagement and inclusion.
Eva believes that there are two ways to keep up to date as an interim manager, by being out on assignments or by actively investing in your own skills development.
As clients, we expect interim consultants not only to be experienced, but also to keep up to date and practice their leadership skills. Leadership is a perishable commodity, and changes in the world around us mean that new demands are constantly being made. It is therefore reassuring to know that the interim manager we hire has an academic foundation to stand on and a toolbox with the right skills to deliver in the best way.
Secure your place in Sweden's first academic program for interim managers
On May 12-16, Sweden's first academic training for interim managers will be held at the Gothenburg School of Economics. The program is developed in collaboration between Interim Search and the School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg. Take the chance and apply for the training, there are still a few vacancies left.
