One of the most rewarding parts of working with business owners is helping them find clarity when they feel stuck between two difficult options.
Often, the challenge isn’t identifying that something needs to change. It’s deciding what the right change looks like, especially when the information available is incomplete.
In a recent client meeting, we experienced what I would describe as a real “light bulb” moment.
The business was approaching the end of a probation period for a department head. After a thorough review and several conversations, the owners had reached the conclusion that the individual was unlikely to succeed in the role long term.
The question was no longer whether a change was needed.
The question was: what should happen next?
Two options, neither quite right
The owners were considering two possible routes:
One of the owners stepping back into the operational side of the business and taking responsibility for the team.
Removing the department head role altogether and having the team report directly to a senior manager. On the surface, both options appeared sensible. But as we explored each one further, it became clear that neither was the ideal solution.
The first option created an immediate fix, but at a cost.
For some time, we had been helping the owners move away from day-to-day delivery so they could focus on leading and growing the business. Returning to operations would reverse much of that progress. It would solve today’s problem, but potentially create a bigger one for the future.
The second option presented a different challenge.
The senior manager was highly capable when it came to leading people, but he had limited experience in the specialist work carried out by the department. The owners believed he could potentially manage the team effectively, but they hadn’t yet discussed the idea with him and weren’t sure how comfortable he would feel taking on the responsibility.
There was also another important consideration.
One team member had shown real potential to become the future department head. However, everyone agreed that it was too early to know whether they would be ready to step into that position.
So the owners faced a familiar business dilemma:
Do we make a permanent decision now, or do we give ourselves more time to make a better one?
Creating space to learn
As we discussed the risks, one question became particularly important:
What happens if the senior manager steps into the role and it doesn’t work out?
The answer was surprisingly reassuring.
Yes, the team had already experienced several changes. Yes, there was some uncertainty. But there was no scenario where the business would suffer a catastrophic outcome. Instead, the business would gain something valuable: information. And that’s when the breakthrough happened.
The power of an interim solution
Why not appoint the senior manager as Interim Head of Department?
Rather than forcing a permanent decision based on assumptions, the business could create a temporary solution that allowed everyone to learn. The senior manager could test the role and understand what was involved. The team could adjust, contribute feedback and identify what support they needed. The potential future department head could continue developing without being rushed into a position they weren’t ready for. And, most importantly, the owners could remain focused on working on the business rather than being pulled back into working in it.
In six months’ time, they would have far more insight than they did today and would be in a much stronger position to make the right long-term decision.
Sometimes the smartest decision is a temporary one
Business owners often feel pressure to make permanent decisions quickly.
But not every challenge requires an immediate, final answer. Sometimes the best approach is to create a temporary solution that gives you time, experience and real-world feedback. A temporary decision is not always avoiding commitment. Sometimes it’s the most strategic way to gather the information needed to make a better one. The key is not always finding the answer straight away. Sometimes it’s asking a better question and giving yourself the space to discover the answer.
