Guiding the Middle Ground: Leadership Lessons From an Interim Chair by Karen Kuse
According to Karen Kuse, serving as an interim chair means leading during a period when an organization is still determining its next direction. The role often comes with limited time, unclear
expectations, and the need to maintain progress without making every decision permanent. This makes interim leadership a unique test of judgment, patience, and communication. A successful interim chair begins by understanding the current environment. Instead of arriving with a long list of changes, the leader takes time to learn about the people, priorities, and pressures already in place. This approach helps prevent unnecessary disruption. It also gives the interim chair a clearer picture of which issues need immediate attention and which ones can wait. Trust becomes especially important during leadership transitions. Team members may feel uncertain about what the future will bring, so the interim chair must create a sense of stability. Consistent communication can help. Regular updates, clear expectations, and honest conversations allow people to stay informed without relying on rumors or assumptions. Interim leaders also need to manage priorities carefully. Because the role is temporary, attempting to redesign every process can create confusion. A better strategy is to focus on essential work, support successful systems, and address problems that could harm performance. This approach keeps the organization moving forward while leaving room for the permanent leader to shape long-term plans. Another important lesson involves decision-making. Some issues cannot be delayed, even during a transition. The interim chair must make those decisions carefully and explain the reasoning behind them. Fair and transparent choices can strengthen confidence, even when the outcome does not satisfy everyone. The transition period also gives leaders an opportunity to identify future possibilities. An interim chair can recognize patterns, gather feedback, and document challenges that the next leader should understand. This creates valuable continuity and can make the next leadership transition smoother. Interim leadership may not last forever, but its influence can. The way a temporary leader handles uncertainty often shapes how people experience the entire transition. By listening, maintaining stability, making thoughtful decisions, and communicating with purpose, an interim chair can help an organization move forward with greater confidence. Strong leadership during change is not measured only by how much changes. It is also measured by how well people are prepared for what comes next.