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

Be True to Your Own Style and Give Them a Leader with Integrity

When the previous leader is a tough act to follow, it is vital to learn about the former leader so that you can value and appreciate the legacy you are inheriting. It is appropriate to learn from their style, incorporating into your repertoire the aspects that can work well for you too. It is both wise and respectful to learn from a master.

This does not mean becoming the former leader. There is a very good chance that you could never achieve that. Even if you did, as far as the team is concerned, you could only become a thin copy of what they had before. You have your own unique strengths and style; you have your own personal brand. If you are to become a leader with integrity, being true to yourself is key. It is appropriate to adapt to change in a new role or environment. It is right to change some aspects of your style to better manage the existing team, but it is counterproductive to become someone that you are not—even if the team appears to be demanding it of you.

Part of your work with the team will be to promote who you are and how you work. When comments about the previous boss come to the surface, they provide you with an opportunity to highlight how you are different and where you can excel. It is more influential to talk about you and how you are going to operate, rather than to talk about why you are not going to be like the former leader. You cannot establish a strong personal brand and leadership ...