Gordon Brown is off on his hols in Southwold, and his deputy Harriet Harman is one of three senior figures to take charge of the country in his absence.
Gordon Brown is on his hols in Southwold, and his deputy Harriet Harman is one of three senior figures to take charge of the country in his absence.
It's a scenario repeated across the UK as the summer holidays begin in earnest. The boss books some time off to recharge, while their deputy steps up for the duration of the holiday.
It's a scenario repeated across the UK as the summer holidays begin in earnest. The boss books some time off to recharge, while their deputy steps up for the duration of the holiday.
But how to be a good stand-in boss?
But how to be a good stand-in boss?
BOSSES DON'T NEED TO BE BOSSY
BOSSES DON'T NEED TO BE BOSSY
It's tricky to make the step up into the boss's chair and it requires some delicacy, says corporate psychologist Ben Williams.Try not to be bossy
It's tricky to make the step up into the boss's chair and it requires some delicacy, says corporate psychologist Ben Williams.Try not to be bossy
"Some colleagues are good chums. Start acting up and the relationship will change.
"Some colleagues are good chums. Start acting up and the relationship will change.
"Someone previously a peer is technically now a subordinate. It's important that the deputy acting up doesn't get delusions of grandeur."
"Someone previously a peer is technically now a subordinate. It's important that the deputy acting up doesn't get delusions of grandeur."
So instead of issuing orders, use phrases like "Would you mind looking at..." he suggests. And a briefing on the deputy's authority before the boss departs minimises back-stabbing.
So instead of issuing orders, use phrases like "Would you mind looking at..." he suggests. And a briefing on the deputy's authority before the boss departs minimises back-stabbing.
Leading people who were your peers can mean ambitions and jealousies are there bubbling under, says business psychologist Alan Redman.
Leading people who were your peers can mean ambitions and jealousies are there bubbling under, says business psychologist Alan Redman.
"That can be difficult. The relationship has to change somewhat and quite quickly but then you have to rejoin the team afterwards, so you have limit any damage to the relationship.
"That can be difficult. The relationship has to change somewhat and quite quickly but then you have to rejoin the team afterwards, so you have limit any damage to the relationship.
"You hear about people becoming Hitler-type figures but that makes it difficult to rejoin the team when the boss returns."
"You hear about people becoming Hitler-type figures but that makes it difficult to rejoin the team when the boss returns."
MAKE DECISIONS
MAKE DECISIONS
Chris Brady, a professor of management studies at Bournemouth University's business school, says: "The guiding principle is do the job as if it's your job for the rest of your life.A deputy should do more than simply answer the phone
Chris Brady, a professor of management studies at Bournemouth University's business school, says: "The guiding principle is do the job as if it's your job for the rest of your life.A deputy should do more than simply answer the phone
"Do the right thing and don't be thinking 'It's only for a week so I won't do this and I won't make a decision about that'."
"Do the right thing and don't be thinking 'It's only for a week so I won't do this and I won't make a decision about that'."
That means the outgoing boss must give his authority to the incumbent and back any decisions made in his absence.
That means the outgoing boss must give his authority to the incumbent and back any decisions made in his absence.
The stand-in boss must be responsible for decisions, says Mr Williams.
The stand-in boss must be responsible for decisions, says Mr Williams.
"You don't want him or her to be a highly-paid answering machine. It's wasteful and creates the wrong impression, whether it's a government ministry or a local authority."
"You don't want him or her to be a highly-paid answering machine. It's wasteful and creates the wrong impression, whether it's a government ministry or a local authority."
BE FLEXIBLE IN APPROACH
BE FLEXIBLE IN APPROACH
Think about what style is appropriate, says Mr Redman, bearing in mind what the boss and the team would expect.The smile of a confident man
Think about what style is appropriate, says Mr Redman, bearing in mind what the boss and the team would expect.The smile of a confident man
"If he's a controlling boss with a 'top-down' style, but your style is democratic, then think about shifting your style downwards towards your boss's direction.
"If he's a controlling boss with a 'top-down' style, but your style is democratic, then think about shifting your style downwards towards your boss's direction.
"Don't impose your own style because it's only a brief window to demonstrate your credibility as a leader, so you need to consider flexing your own style to meet your team halfway and meet the needs of your own boss."
"Don't impose your own style because it's only a brief window to demonstrate your credibility as a leader, so you need to consider flexing your own style to meet your team halfway and meet the needs of your own boss."
Barack Obama is a model in how to act as a leader-in-waiting, says body language expert Judi James.
Barack Obama is a model in how to act as a leader-in-waiting, says body language expert Judi James.
"You want that kind of look where people say you look right in that job. Obama [in Berlin] looked humble but confident. He was a little self-effacing but looked the part."
"You want that kind of look where people say you look right in that job. Obama [in Berlin] looked humble but confident. He was a little self-effacing but looked the part."
DON'T ROCK THE BOAT
DON'T ROCK THE BOAT
Don't obviously try and make a splash, says Ms James, because people hate to see people desperate for power. And now is not the time to settle old scores with people who have annoyed you.Gordon Brown and Harriet Harman smile as they door-step a voter
Don't obviously try and make a splash, says Ms James, because people hate to see people desperate for power. And now is not the time to settle old scores with people who have annoyed you.Gordon Brown and Harriet Harman smile as they door-step a voter
Identify the boss's flaws and try to be a welcome contrast, she says.
Identify the boss's flaws and try to be a welcome contrast, she says.
"It's a good idea to subtly add what your boss doesn't have. You can afford to look like the relaxed alpha because your boss was probably looking like the stressed alpha before the holiday. But never look like you are trying desperately to wedge yourself into the job."
"It's a good idea to subtly add what your boss doesn't have. You can afford to look like the relaxed alpha because your boss was probably looking like the stressed alpha before the holiday. But never look like you are trying desperately to wedge yourself into the job."
It's well known that Gordon Brown is not a good smiler, so Harriet Harman could benefit because she can smile naturally.
It's well known that Gordon Brown is not a good smiler, so Harriet Harman could benefit because she can smile naturally.
SPRAY YOUR TERRITORY
SPRAY YOUR TERRITORY
Just because you're taking over the boss's office doesn't mean you should put your feet on the desk or bounce around on the chair, says Ms James.The boss's desk will reflect their personality
Just because you're taking over the boss's office doesn't mean you should put your feet on the desk or bounce around on the chair, says Ms James.The boss's desk will reflect their personality
"If you're taking over the boss's office, make your own mark. It's called spraying the territory. Like putting a small vase on the desk or your own family photograph.
"If you're taking over the boss's office, make your own mark. It's called spraying the territory. Like putting a small vase on the desk or your own family photograph.
"Don't do everything, like repainting the office in your signature colour. One small gesture will do.
"Don't do everything, like repainting the office in your signature colour. One small gesture will do.
"It's so other people will see it and it gives you a feeling that you're there in your own right rather than keeping the seat warm."
"It's so other people will see it and it gives you a feeling that you're there in your own right rather than keeping the seat warm."
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