Being the “top dog” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Just ask anyone occupying the “big chair.” They will tell you it is a job fraught with demands on his/her time, energy, decision-making skills, money management, profit and loss, laws, lawyers, board members, and shareholders, not to mention all the HR headaches and other issues most of us never think of.
BUT…if you are the person in the 2nd chair, what exactly is expected of you in that position in terms of roles and responsibilities? This may come as a surprise to you but your main job is to; “See “your boss’s” vision becomes reality and how you do that is very important. A recent blog post by a friend of mine, Brain Dodd talked about the roles and responsibilities of being 2nd in command. I’d like to share those in paraphrase with you here.
- As 2nd in command, you are to provide the team with whatever they need to support and bring into reality the vision of the CEO. Two words come to mind here: Consistency & Leadership.
- As 2nd in command, you must realize you are not the CEO. There can be only one person holding this position and the responsibility that that position carries with it. Doing your job with consistency and integrity will provide all the spotlight and recognition you need, if you feel slighted then you have an ego that needs to be addressed.
- Every day you and the CEO both must show and lead from a position of strength and that you deserve to hold these positions. If you don’t you will lose your team’s faith and backing.
- It is sometimes very hard to stand behind the CEO in his/her shadow while they receive all the accolades. This is where as the 2nd in command you can prove your worth, by putting on “Humility.” Humility is a hard thing to bring forward and out from within. Our egos and emotions are triggered, bringing out the worst in us. After all, it is the team that crosses the finish line together, not one individual.
- Being in the room with an outstanding leader will guide you in the ways that you, as the second in command, need to level up, step up, gain more learning, and grow in your role as the second chair of leadership.
- This growth and learning needs to be an ongoing process through mentorship from the CEO, not in a preachy sort of way, but rather in a grooming way to prepare you for your next leadership role.
- TRUST is a huge component for both the CEO and 2nd in command. Without trust the organization you lead will see the cracks and weaknesses in the leadership roles you both hold.
- No one likes to think about succession planning, but it is a fact of business that the primary leader, the CEO, will eventually retire, step down voluntarily, or be ousted by the board. It is your goal to be the next in line, one who has been groomed for the role and has a proven record that supports the growth, revenue, and leadership skills that have led the organization to the vision set forth.
- Disagreements will inevitably happen, but your job is to be a cheerleader and support the CEO’s vision and goals. Opposition must be discussed behind a closed door and ironed out with facts, not editorializing and supposition.
- A winning culture in any organization comes from “Continued Growth” of all those in leadership positions! If you and your leaders are not actively learning, growing, and supporting and paying for growth in your organization you are in decline, you just don’t know it yet, but it will show up eventually.
If you are looking for a mentor or coach to help you with your microphone, send me an email, and we can discuss the effective use of that microphone in your hands!
janice@janicebastanicoaching.com
8914 Collina Ct.
Granite Bay, CA 95746
908-229-3797
www.janicebastanicoaching.com
www.johnmaxwellgroup.com/janicebastani
