According to research and applied practice, those groups that use Interim Executive Leadership(IEL) emerge from their executive transition as:

• A stronger organization
• A more financially sound organization
• More optimistic about the future impact of their organization’s services

There are many factors that make interim management a powerful resource when your organization is going through an executive transition:

Speed. Your IEL can be in place in a fraction of the time it would take to hire an executive director that is a good fit with your organization. Rapid placement is absolutely essential when time constraints are of paramount concern.

Assurance. Interim executive management assures your funders, staff, constituents and board members that your organization has an experienced, trained and skilled professional at the helm during this period of transition.

Experience. The Support Center’s IELs are more than qualified for the positions they undertake. They all have extensive past experience with similar responsibilities and challenges as the ones they face as IELs. This enables them to be productive from the outset, have an immediate positive impact on your organization, minimize the risk of things going wrong, and ultimately ensure the success of your organization’s transition.

Objectivity. Unencumbered by any previous involvement in company processes or staff relationships and not a candidate for the regular ED position, IEDs can provide a fresh and candid perspective to the board and are free to concentrate on what's best for the organization.

Accountability. Rather than taking on a purely advisory role (as a management consultant would), IELs are responsible and accountable for managing your organization until it is time to hand it off to your newly hired executive director.

Commitment. IELs are committed to an interim career. This is never just something they are doing until a suitable permanent position is found. They enjoy the challenge of the different assignments, take great pride in maintaining the highest standards, and realize that they are only ever as good as their last job.

Time. Many organizations rush through the job search and make the costly mistake of hastily hiring an executive director who is a bad fit for the organization. With and IEL in place, your organization can slow down and take the time to do a thorough job search, knowing that an experienced and highly capable professional is leading the organization.

Staff Development. Employment of an IEL allows your organization, and your staff in particular, a time to breathe before the next permanent executive director comes aboard. This offers employees a unique opportunity to step up as leaders during the transition process.