Hello ozbargain community. I have a dilemma and would appreciate some help. I am currently employed in a not-for-profit organisation and we have lost funding for a program I was managing for 18m. My CEO has come up with a position for me which is basically an intern CEO on the same conditions as she is stepping back and retiring in two years. During the worrying times in the lead up to the funding ceasing I applied for a job with similar pay and benefits but is much more hands on and busy which is what I like. In my first two weeks as an "intern CEO" I have sat around the office doing nothing and feel bored even though my boss assures me work will come up and it will get busier. I don't fully trust she will retire within two years. What option would you take in this situation? Thanks
Employment Dilemma - Stay with Current Role? Take up New Offer?
Comments
Thanks, yes I suppose I just worry there's always risk when taking new employment - management could be difficult etc.
Change can always seem scary/difficult … but you really won't know until you take the plunge!
Obviously, it is not practical for you to list all factors - but the culture of the company, people and environment play a big part. If the current place is a nice place to work, that is obviously a factor for consideration.
Does either position come with a free car JeffGee?
Well both come with a car for private use in fact so can't split them there.
Hi
I am Randy Newcastle, the famous clairvoyant. You should stay in your current role. This is how you are going to meet your REAL lifelong partner, TOGO from Africa. Togo and you will be very happy together. I see you both starting your own charity to save Australian Antechinus. But watch out for someone with a name like Ben or Bob or something (my powers go cloudy here. Bob or whatever his name is will try to take Togo from you. Togo will likely be tempted, so you must make sure to always use fresh scented oils around your home.
I would be inclined to stay in the role you are in and try to put your stamp on it a bit.
If I was the CEO, I wouldn't feel confident stepping back if you are just sitting around a bit bored. I'd be looking for you to take this chance to build some new programs, seek out new funding etc. To be ambitious!
If it isn't your style, then take the other role. But if you do so, do it with the understanding it isn't very common for a CEO to identify a succession plan where you stand a good chance of getting the role, usually you have to fight hard for it. If the CEO has seen the capability in you to be a leader, it would be good to capitalise on this faith in yourself. Nobody else might ever give you that much thought!If you want to test jut how real all this is, put in some work this weekend to come up with a range of proposals you can put to her and see if she supports developing them. If she is legitimate about grooming you for success, she will identify the most promising of your proposals and knuckle down to build a pathway for the two of you to work toward success in achieving them.
If you're going to be the boss, you don't get to complain about being bored - you need to address that and develop some goals and hit them.Sadly, I had a bit of a similar opportunity when I was in my 20s, but I lacked a bit of the maturity and drive to capitalise on it. I won't say it is a big regret that I let that opportunity slip through my fingers, but I can tell you that I have never had as clear a chance put to me since. So if you see yourself as leadership material, I wouldn't dismiss this opportunity figuring the next bus will be along later…
Thanks for that advice, it's really helpful. Opportunities to show initiative at this stage are limited but I'll offer to shadow her wherever she goes and hopefully times will arise when I can show some autonomy and decision making on my own. Thanks again for your advice much appreciated.
Opportunities to show initiative at this stage are limited
This is what you need to use your creativity and drive to overcome.
If you are a legitimate future leader, you will need to create these opportunities yourself, and if the offer for succession is legitimate, you will get support to pursue valid new opportunities.
Some general examples on what these could be (tell me the sector you operate in if you want some more specific ideas):
- new sources of funding. Have you, for example, pursued funding for regional and rural initiatives, disaster recovery monies, new sources like social benefit bonds, NDIS program funding, corporate partnerships etc.
- new programs addressing emerging needs. E.g online extensions of existing programs, programs that reflect demographic change, or the high number of international students, or increasingly precarious work situations or…whatever emerging trends impact your traditional projects
- program delivery efficiencies. Does your social housing program have an online portal? Can you replace printed materials with electronic delivery in some places, can you tap in to a larger volunteer base?Yeah that's great advice thanks! It's in the not for profit sector - community service.
There are opportunities in some ways it's just what we do is quite streamlined. I like the idea of generating some online resources I will look into this! Thanks
I applied for a job with similar pay and benefits … What option would you take in this situation?
Wait and see if the job is offered first.
Thanks for the input, was offered the job so should have been clearer about that.
If you're 'interning' for a CEO position make sure you get a correct role title that reflects that.
If you move to another company there is no defined career path; at least here you're at the top of the tree with plans of succession.
I wouldn't be leaving that unless there was a significant pay rise involved and not to a similar pay and benefit.
If it doesn't work out in two years at least you got the role title.If you're finding that you have nothing to do well you need to create things for you to do.
Offer to job shadow different roles in the organisation when you have 'free time'. That includes the CEO.
Look at new projects, opportunities.TL;DR was mskeggs said too.
Thanks for that, yeah I think that's true and I have been told to come up with a job title that I like. I don't know what to use? Do you have any suggestions that could look good for future applications regardless of the outcome here?
I think it's best that you choose a role title that accurately reflects what you do and your seniority.
Some useful reading for you - google CEO Succession planning and ensure that the CEO is covering off at least some of the things mentioned in guidelines etc.On a more lighter note
- Assistant to the Regional manager. - Dwight Schrute
Based on what you have just outlined, i.e. you like to be much more hands on and busy and you do not trust the CEO will in fact retire in the timeframe mentioned, I would be inclined to take the new job.