Political Dilemmas at Work: How to Maintain Your Integrity and Further Your Career

Chapter Two

POWER VACUUM

Your boss has moved on, and a successor has yet to be appointed. Suddenly, nobody is quite sure what to do.

 

 

 

Good leadership provides direction and purpose for our team. Great leaders direct our efforts to where they will have the greatest impact. A great leader helps us work together by making the tough calls and keeping us on track. An effective leader is a stabilizing and motivating influence. She enables us to perform and helps us enhance our careers.

But what happens when our leader leaves unexpectedly? What was once taken for granted has been thrown into uncertainty. We may feel dazed and confused. Senior management is often slow to replace our leader and is unable to fill the gap left in the short term. As the power vacuum left by our leader’s absence becomes evident, old rivalries can reemerge, and some people may take advantage of the situation. What was once agreed between us can come up for debate and argument again. How are we to protect ourselves and continue to do good work in this power vacuum?

The Power Vacuum Dilemma

It’s all a bit of a mystery really. Donna came in one day and announced that she was leaving that day by mutual agreement. We were shocked to say the least. Most of us believed she was secure and got on well with the president. Naturally we pressed her for more info, but she was reluctant to say more, citing a confidentiality agreement and changing the subject.

That was a couple of weeks ago. We still don’t know ...