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Michelle Smith PhD's avatar

Caitlin, this is spot on. I’m wrapping up my first interim assignment and it has been an incredible journey. Many folks thought the organization wouldn’t make it but they’re alive and so much stronger!

Meanwhile, I’m transferring all of this knowledge to the new ED and having so many deep emotions that I didn’t expect. Your article contains excellent advice and it couldn’t be more timely. Thank you.

Caitlin Pontrella's avatar

Thank you Michelle, congratulations on wrapping up, and good luck! I hope you are able to celebrate and rest before you leap into what comes next :)

Rebecca Johnson's avatar

Caitlin, this is a powerful point: “I get to see organizations at inflection points, when they’re most alive to change.” It’s the same for me in coaching partnerships with leaders. Also the same in many of the challenges and sustainability insights you name. Thanks for this post!

Caitlin Pontrella's avatar

Thank you; I also think that so many organizations could benefit from finding a way to access this way of being, as change is going to be a constant, as the technology and the world keep evolving rapidly.

Rebecca Johnson's avatar

💯— interim and fractional partnerships can relieve pressure and bridge into new opportunities.

Craig Mattson's avatar

Grateful for the gold in this piece, Caitlin. Your stories of coming into orgs that felt like chaotic emergency departments--what a wealth of experience. I loved the spiritual and therapeutic practicality of this piece. (I'm just coming away from a long conversation with someone who had been an interim leader and has become a permanent leader. But I think this person STILL feels interim.)

Caitlin Pontrella's avatar

Thanks Craig! Interim work can be really intense, and the community is so small and dispersed, that I personally have both struggled with verbalizing what I was experiencing as a leader and getting some peer support. :)

That being said… I still love the work!