Build your career as a successful Interim, because for many people, it is the best job in the world. This podcast will equip you with knowledge and the mindset to excel whether it’s your first time or if you’re experienced and wanting to hear from fellow professionals and keep learning.
Site
RSS
Apple
Données mises à jour le 04/07/2026
Classements récents
Dernières positions dans les classements Apple Podcasts et Spotify.
Liens partagés entre épisodes et podcasts
Liens présents dans les descriptions d'épisodes et autres podcasts les utilisant également.
Découvrez des podcasts liées à The Interim. Explorez des podcasts avec des thèmes, sujets, et formats similaires. Ces similarités sont calculées grâce à des données tangibles, pas d'extrapolations !
Pressing Reset: The Mindset of a Successful Interim - Malcolm Lambell
Saison 1 · Épisode 33
lundi 22 septembre 2025 • Durée 23:51
What do you do when a successful, long-term career comes to an unexpected end? For Malcolm Lambeau, a former CIO and Managing Director at major British banks, it was an opportunity to hit the reset button. Fifteen years ago, a redundancy became the catalyst for a radical career change—one that led him from the corporate ladder to the dynamic world of interim and portfolio work. In this candid conversation, Malcolm shares the surprising joys, challenges, and rewards of becoming your own boss, and reveals the crucial mindset shift required to thrive as a professional interim.
Malcolm is a friend of the podcast through his advice and being the very first guest - 32 episodes ago.
· The Transition to Interim Work: Malcolm shares that his shift was triggered by a redundancy from his role at the Royal Bank of Scotland. Instead of seeking another permanent position, he felt a strong desire to do something different and entrepreneurial. He was encouraged by a headhunter to explore the interim route, and he quickly realized it was the right path for him.
· The Surprises and Realities of Interim Life: Malcolm was surprised by how much he enjoyed the work, how quickly he could make an impact in new organizations, and how welcoming he was made to feel. He particularly valued being "immune to politics" and being able to focus on specific, clear objectives. Contrary to his initial expectations of long gaps between contracts, he found himself almost continuously employed for seven years.
· The Mindset of an Interim Professional: The conversation highlights that becoming an interim isn't just a job change—it's a fundamental cultural and personal transformation. Malcolm emphasizes that you must see yourself as a business. This includes doing your own risk assessment, managing your finances and accepting that you'll have to operate without the typical support staff and authority of a permanent executive. Your only power is your expertise and ability to influence others.
· Common Mistakes and Key Advice: Malcolm identifies several pitfalls for those new to interim work. A key mistake is not having a clear plan and treating it as "a bit of interim" work, which can hurt your reputation with recruitment agents who prefer commitment. He stresses the importance of building a strong network of agents and practicing your interview skills, noting that many senior professionals rely too heavily on their polish rather than preparing a well-rehearsed narrative.
· The Rewards of Coaching and Mentoring: Malcolm finds immense satisfaction in his coaching and mentoring work. He gets a buzz from helping people find jobs and achieve success. He highlights that despite the lack of a permanent team or the daily grind of corporate life, the personal reward of seeing others benefit from his experience is what makes his current work so meaningful.
Service & Survival, an Interim's personal story - Alex Clixby
Saison 1 · Épisode 32
mardi 16 septembre 2025 • Durée 22:35
This episode is a personal account of Alex Clixby, a former British Army officer who has become a civilian Interim CIO. Alex shares how his military training prepared him for leadership in civilian life and the unique challenges of fractional interims managing multiple clients at once. Alex also delves into deeper and personal challenges that put all these things into perspective.
Alex is a fractional interim, providing services to many clients. He runs an on-demand CIO service called One IT.
He was a commissioned officer in the British Army for 16 years and has worked as a civilian for the last 13, working with businesses to improve their IT, transform their ways of working, reduce spend, and ultimately help them achieve more.
From Military to Civilian CIO: Alex spent 16 years as a commissioned officer in the British Army's Royal Corps of Signals, the IT arm of the military. He discusses how his military experience, which taught him leadership, management, and working under pressure, provided a strong foundation for his transition to a civilian IT leadership role. He highlights one key difference between military and civilian work as shifting from a "black and white" command-and-control approach to a more collaborative and democratic style.
The Fractional Interim CIO Model: Alex explains that a fractional CIO works for multiple clients simultaneously, providing on-demand IT leadership. He currently juggles seven such roles and discusses the challenges and skills required, such as discipline and time management, to balance a large number of clients and their varying needs. He also touches on the importance of mastering administrative tasks across different platforms.
Assessing Client Needs and Building Trust: When starting a new engagement, Alex conducts a five to seven-day review to assess all elements of a client's IT service, including people, processes, technology, and risk. He explains that building trust with new clients is crucial and he achieves this by presenting not only where the problems are, but also how to fix them and make improvements. He emphasizes that the fresh perspective of an interim CIO can quickly identify issues and create a clear IT strategy and roadmap.
The Pros and Cons of an Interim Career: Alex prefers the variety of challenges that come with a fractional role over a single, permanent position, as he can easily get bored. However, he acknowledges the downsides, such as the occasional feeling of loneliness and the emotional toll of stepping away from projects and colleagues after an engagement is over. He also shares how this career path allows for a better work-life balance compared to a full-time role.
Be You: Build Authentic Relationships – Nick Diprose
Saison 1 · Épisode 31
vendredi 22 août 2025 • Durée 25:08
In today's busy and noisy world how do you stand-out and get noticed for who you are, what you can do? In this episode, I sit down with headhunter Nick Diprose to discuss a profoundly simple yet often overlooked strategy: authenticity. Join us as Nick explains why your CV is just the beginning and how building a genuine, personal brand can transform your career, allowing you to connect with recruiters and clients on a much deeper, more effective level.
I am very pleased today to be in conversation with Nick Diprose.
Nick started his career with British Steel working in large infrastructure projects, and has spent the last 20 years growing professional services businesses. He founded Holdsway in 2013 with the goal of promoting interim executives as the ‘expert game changers’ of the economy. Nick is a familiar guest on the podcast, his previous episode is one of the most popular called “Negotiate your day rate”.
· The CV as a Starting Point: Nick clarifies that while a clear and well-written CV is essential, it's merely a starting point. In a "busy, noisy world," a professional needs to go beyond the resume to truly stand out.
· Defining a Personal Brand: A personal brand isn't just a name or your last few assignments. It's about a person's identity: who they are, what drives them, what they do, and how they do it. It's a "you brand" that helps others instantly recognise what you stand for.
· Relationships Over Transactions: The conversation highlights a common misconception among interims that the recruitment process is a transactional, numbers game. Nick argues that a successful approach is built on relationships and mutual investment. Recruiters are busy people, but a proactive interim should seek to build a genuine connection rather than just tick boxes.
Becoming an Interim: One Year In - Tim Mattos
Saison 1 · Épisode 30
dimanche 3 août 2025 • Durée 28:02
In this inspiring episode, we chat with Tim Mattos, who recently made the courageous leap from a 14-year career as an IT Director at Aldi to the dynamic world of interim leadership. Discover what it takes to transition from a long-term successful permanent role to a flexible, high-impact interim career, and how embracing uncertainty can lead to incredible personal and professional growth. Tim's insights on rediscovering confidence, navigating challenges, and the unexpected joys of independent work will leave you re-evaluating your own career path. Tune in to learn why fortune favors the brave and how you can increase your "surface area for luck" in your own professional journey!
Tim has recently become an Interim, he's just completed his first assignment after it was extended. Previously he was an IT Director at Aldi where he worked for 14 years. It's a huge achievement to make such a transition from being a long-term permanent employee to being an Interim and it demonstrates Tim's determination, agility, flexibility and courage. With the new experiences fresh in his mind, I'm looking forward to a colourful and fascinating conversation.
Seeking Entrepreneurship and Flexibility: Tim realized that he was no longer a natural fit for Aldi’s evolving shape and that it wasn't authentically him. He wanted to be entrepreneurial and wanted a flexible future where he could leverage his 20 years of operational leadership. A key attraction to the interim world was the opportunity for accelerated learning through diverse exposure and repeated experiences across different organizations and sectors. Thinking of the interim role as a "next chapter" rather than a final destination helped unblock the decision-making process.
Reframing Skills: Tim quickly realised that his long tenure at Aldi had already equipped him with extensive experience in leading transformations; he just needed to reframe his existing skills for the interim market. He had to build an external professional network from scratch, a process he thoroughly enjoyed and found crucial for success in the interim world. Similarly he had to tackle the administrative work of setting up a limited company, registration, insurances, and managing periods between assignments, all of which are foreign to permanent employees. Inwardly, the transition was about rediscovering lost confidence and backing himself. Tim found immense empowerment in having a client rather than a boss, which allowed him to set boundaries, speak more plainly, and stand by his opinions.
Visibility is economic power – Lauren Currie
Saison 1 · Épisode 29
lundi 21 juillet 2025 • Durée 24:13
What if we told you that one of your greatest assets isn't just your skills, but your confidence? Join us as we sit down with Lauren Curry a global voice on confidence as a tool for personal transformation.
This episode is packed with insights for anyone looking to amplify their impact, especially those navigating the unique challenges of interim roles. Lauren will share actionable strategies on building self-trust, leveraging visibility as economic power, and challenging outdated notions of what confidence truly means.
Confidence is a Muscle: A central tenet of Lauren's philosophy is that confidence is a muscle to be built and stretched through practice, rather than an innate personality trait. She defines confidence as self-trust – trusting one's ideas, voice, experience, and the ability to recover from mistakes. She highlights that confidence comes in "all volumes" and can be quiet, kind, or gentle.
The Importance of Introspection and Progress Tracking: Lauren advocates for regular reflection as a crucial aspect of growth. She shares her personal practice of a weekly "meeting with myself" to document achievements and learnings.
Visibility as Economic Power and Personal Branding: A powerful theme is Lauren's assertion that "visibility is economic power" and that "good work alone is not enough." She urges professionals, particularly interims, to actively and deliberately build their personal brand, likening oneself to a "product." Key strategies for branding include: Showing up where target audiences are (LinkedIn, podcasts, panels, etc.); Having a clear, memorable headline or theme for what you're known for; Sharing work in progress and learnings openly and starting to build a reputation before it's needed, as it serves as a "runway" for future opportunities.
The Cost and Reward of Independent Operation: Reflecting on 15 years of self-employment, Lauren describes being an independent operator as the "most expensive confidence exercise you'll ever do," due to financial uncertainty, unseen effort, constant self-promotion, solitary decision-making, and continuous risk-taking. However, she emphasizes that the reward – freedom, ownership, and personal growth – is immense.
Today we’re focusing on career longevity, and talking with an interim with an incredible track record of over 20 assignments in the UK and Australia. Lynn Thomas talks about resilience, energy, adapting, and resilience. If you're curious about a career that offers constant challenge, huge diversity and variety, and the flexibility to align with your life, this episode is going to be very interesting.
Qualities of a Successful Interim: Lynne emphasizes that an interim professional is a "problem solver" and "connector," akin to an "emergency physician" or "paramedic" for organizations. Key qualities include resilience, diplomacy, confidence, and humility. She shares how she developed these attributes, likening it to "building muscle" through diverse experiences.
Navigating Challenges and Building Trust: The conversation touches on the inherent challenges of interim work, such as walking into unfamiliar and sometimes hostile environments. Lynne stresses the importance of building trust with managers, especially when they might feel nervous about an outsider. She highlights the ability to provide clarity amidst confusion and see what internal staff might miss.
Finding Assignments and Networking: Lynne discusses how the landscape for finding interim roles has evolved. While traditional agencies still exist, she now heavily relies on her network, reputation, referrals, and platforms like LinkedIn to secure new assignments.
AI's Impact on the BA Role: Lynne shares her practical use of AI as a "personal assistant." She emphasizes that AI does not yet replace high valuable human capabilities such as curiosity, emotional intelligence, understanding organizational politics, facilitating workshops, or mediating conflicts.
Navigating the international Interim world - Jonathan Selby
Saison 1 · Épisode 27
lundi 7 juillet 2025 • Durée 24:04
Have you ever wondered what it takes to parachute into a company on the other side of the world and turn it around? Imagine navigating entirely new cultures, building trust from scratch, and making critical decisions far from home. In this episode, we're joined by Jonathan Selby, a international interim manager with two decades of experience, from the bustling factories of China to the nuanced family businesses of Italy. Jonathan pulls back the curtain on the unique challenges and immense rewards of global interim work, sharing invaluable insights on everything from cultural resilience to building unshakeable trust. If you're curious about a career that thrives on change, or simply want to understand the dynamics of international business, you won't want to miss this! Tune in to discover why Jonathan likens it to 'interim on steroids'..
Jonathan is an experienced international interim and chairman of The International Network of Interim Manager Associations. INIMA supports cross border collaboration to advance the Interim Management profession and facilitate the exchange of knowledge between Partner Associations. Jonathan has been an Interim for 20 years including assignments in China, USA, UK and Italy where he lives. Jon welcome to The Interim.
Jonathan emphasizes that international interim management is "normal interim on steroids" due to its faster pace, greater delegation, and the need for intense personal commitment. He highlights the critical importance of a strong personal network for securing assignments in markets like Italy, where direct provider channels are less effective. He stresses the need for interims to be project creation-oriented, defining the scope, progress, and handover of their assignments from the outset.
A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the cultural and personal challenges of international interim work. Jonathan outlines key personal attributes required: resilience, curiosity about different cultures, and a robust support network. He explains that international assignments demand excellent communication skills, the acceptance of greater delegation, and a wider range of responsibilities due to often limited local resources. Crucially, he advocates for a strong ethical compass, as international interims sometimes need to challenge corporate headquarters on behalf of the local entity. Practical personal considerations, such as managing increased leisure time, travel, and long weekends, are also discussed.
Extend your Market: an Interim's guide to a Lasting Career - Tony Martin
Saison 1 · Épisode 26
lundi 23 juin 2025 • Durée 16:09
Today, we're talking to an interim who’s got 18 years of Interim experience and, now in his late 60s, has got wisdom and experience for us all to enjoy. We are going to debunk some myths and misconceptions about the interim lifestyle, and reveal a fundamental secret of getting assignments. Get ready to challenge your assumptions and discover what truly drives purpose in the dynamic world of interim work.
Tony Martin is a Transformation Programme Director. He has led major business change programmes in many large multinational companies in the public and private sectors and in many geographies. I was going to list the change programmes and clients he has worked with but the list got too long. He's known for his ability to "pull rabbits out of hats," and is currently working at Ineos.
This is my summary of that conversation with Tony Martin
Debunked some familiar misconceptions about the interim life:
o "Work When You Like": Tony refutes this, even though he's been almost consistently employed for 18 years he says that the breaks between assignments are not a holiday, they too have a purpose of recharging and finding the next assignment.
o Market Fluctuations: While there are perceived quiet periods (summer, Christmas) and busy ones (April, September), Tony stresses that urgent needs mean that opportunities can arise any time of the year. Interims must always be "ready to go."
o "It's All About Your Network": While networks help, Tony highlights that 11 of his 13 jobs came through agencies, who effectively handle his business development.
Not Limiting Your Market: Tony's advice was to know your strapline or market proposition (his was "I run large complex change programs”) and then advises interims to:
o Be sector agnostic.
o Be open to any geography.
o Be willing to work on-site if the client requires it, as they are paying the invoice.
o Avoid the "day rate trap." While having a rate range is important, being flexible for "really interesting" roles can open up more opportunities.
An interim’s top priority, being clear about your value proposition - David Estyn-Jones
Saison 1 · Épisode 25
mercredi 18 juin 2025 • Durée 24:16
This podcast talks about a top priority for every interim. Are you clear what your distinct value proposition is, your professional product is, what you can do for a client? It’s what you do really well and there are people out there who need it. You know it, recruiters know it and clients hear about it too. That’s your superpower and it’s the way to find work as an interim.
I am very pleased to be in conversation with David Estyn-Jones. David is a very experienced Interim, he leads Transformations and Change programme. His key strengths are keeping things simple, focusing on the right things and building collaboration.
Summary.
· Journey into Interim. David shares his journey into interim work, highlighting how his project and mission-focused background (including 10 years as an army officer) made it a natural fit. He emphasizes the appeal of variety, adventure, and the thrill of the unknown, noting that experience actually enhances an interim's employability.
· Lessons learned: David reflects on what he wishes he knew earlier, including the importance of organising your limited company, defining your value proposition, clearly articulating what problems you solve and why you are special, rather than chasing any available work.
· Continuous professional development: Actively pursuing learning and development, as it's easy for this to fall by the wayside in an interim career. While interim roles offer inherent learning through exposure to new sectors and ways of working, David stresses the importance of continuous development. He highlights how the interim life pushes professionals to constantly evolve, contrasting it with a potential stagnation seen in permanent roles.
· Finding assignments and building your brand: David explains that work comes from a mix of recruiters and networking. He advises be visible, maintain an active presence on LinkedIn, clearly define your "product" – what you do, the problems you solve, and what makes you unique. Cultivate Relationships with recruiters and ensure your network understands your value.
· The Interim Temperament: David emphasises that successful interims are comfortable with uncertainty, embracing the unknown and adapting to diverse work environments. They are capable of selling themselves and actively seeking new opportunities. And they know when an assignment is complete and are willing to inform the client, even if it means moving on to an unknown next step. This integrity is part of the premium interims charge.
7 Habits of Highly Effective Interims - Ben Cowan
Saison 1 · Épisode 24
dimanche 1 juin 2025 • Durée 26:46
What are the 7 habits of highly effective interims? Today, we're diving deep into the very DNA of what makes an interim truly effective. We're talking about the unspoken, the invaluable, those habits that truly set apart the highly effective among us.
I am very pleased today to be in conversation with Ben Cowan. Ben is Head of Practice for Business Transformation at Eton Bridge and has 2 decades of interim recruitment experience. Eton Bridge is a leading interim management firm, head quartered in the UK and has made placements in 35 countries. They are known for their people-first culture built on respect, care and building long-term relationships.
This podcast episode pays homage to Stephen Covey's seminal 1989 work, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," a book that revolutionised self-help and business. I’ve asked Ben to reflect on the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Interims.
Character Traits: Effective interims are confident (not arrogant), impactful, proactive, likable, reliable, and dependable. These qualities are crucial for quickly integrating into new organizations and gaining trust. Ben emphasizes that these traits are rarely visible on a CV but are paramount in real-world interactions.
Communication: Clear and effective communication is vital. Interims must be able to put people at ease, reassure clients, and deliver messages effectively at all levels – from the C-suite to the "shop floor." Ben talks about the ability to storytell and paint a clear picture of change or difficult messages.
Skills and Experience: While not the only factor, being an expert in one's field and having a unique selling proposition (USP) is critical. The best interims are known for something specific ("what are you famous for?"). It's not just about having the skills, but how they are conveyed and the tangible results achieved (e.g., using "I owned," "I delivered" rather than "I was involved in").
Resilience: Interims often enter ambiguous and challenging situations where they are constantly being judged. Adaptability and resilience are key to navigating these environments, challenging the status quo, and accepting situations that may not be ideal. The ability to maintain an "inner strength" and stand behind one's professional opinion, even if it's not immediately accepted, is crucial. Being a problem-solver is also a significant aspect of resilience.
A Personal Mission: The conversation concludes with a deeply personal and inspiring segment where Alex shares his recent diagnosis of Stage 1 prostate cancer. He explains how he has used his experience to raise awareness among men about the importance of getting a PSA blood test. He also recounts his recent achievement of cycling 150 miles to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK, demonstrating his commitment to turning a personal negative into a positive.
· Nick offers concrete and practice advice for interims. He emphasizes the need to know yourself first, understanding your motivations for being an interim and your core value proposition. This self-awareness allows you to be clear, confident, and genuine when engaging with recruiters. He encourages interims to be prepared, proactive, and accessible, focusing their efforts on a select group of recruiters who align with their style and market.
· The Benefits of Building Relationships: The tangible benefits of investing time in relationships with recruiters include expanding one's network and gaining access to opportunities faster. Nick also highlights that these relationships are a two-way street; a good recruiter will invest in you, helping to refine your CV and providing valuable feedback, while you should also invest the time to get to know them.
· Authenticity and Consistency: The episode concludes with Nick's core message: be you. He advises that a person's brand should be their authentic self—"warts and all"—and not a polished, inauthentic facade. Being genuine helps a person attract the right work with the right people at the right rate. Nick asserts that if you're not authentic, you're "acting," and this can lead to unfulfilling work.
Referenced: Tony Martin, Robert Cooper, Al Hall, Tim Fulton, Mark Cooper, Kevin Paterson.
Embrace Challenge and New Experiences: Tim's love for challenge, new experiences, and curiosity, makes him a natural fit for the interim lifestyle.
The Vast Market for Interims: Tim realized the sheer size and dynamism of the job market, particularly the 80% comprised of SMEs, where significant opportunities for interims exist.
Increasing Your "Surface Area for Luck": Success in landing interim roles comes from being the right person with the right skills on the radar of the right people at the right time. Proactive networking and being prepared for opportunities are crucial.
Agility and Decisiveness: Interim professionals need to be super agile, able to move fast, understand their financial implications and make quick decisions with available information.
Emotional Resilience: Closing contracts and handing over to permanent hires can be emotionally challenging, as it means becoming no longer needed, and it is helpful to recognise that it is a sign of successful completion of an assignment.
Specifically regarding working in China, Jonathan underscores the importance of being an excellent listener and understanding "what they don't say." He highlights the effectiveness of visual tools (like lean techniques) and the immense value of building trust and coaching local teams. Simple gestures, like allowing time off for Chinese New Year train bookings or improving canteen food quality, can drastically reduce turnover and foster dedication. He reflects on the difficulty of truly understanding another culture, humorously noting his 35 years of marriage to an Italian wife, yet still being surprised.
The conversation then shifts to the challenges of interim management in Italy and similar Southern European markets. Jonathan points out the smaller market size compared to Germany and the UK and its fragmentation, with typical clients being companies with fewer than 100 employees. Many Italian businesses are first or second-generation family-owned, meaning interims often deal directly with entrepreneurs who are more emotionally attached to people than investments. Jonathan observes a remarkable level of dedication and pride in work among Italian employees, often staying for decades even in non-meritocratic, family-run structures.
Jonathan concludes by advising aspiring international interims to assess their character, competenc
"Rediscover Your Relevance" Business: Tony, with a colleague, has launched a business that helps interims refine their skills, get back into the market, or pivot their careers. Key offerings include mastering strap lines and elevator pitches, LinkedIn and recruiter secrets, resume development, and interview coaching.
Motivation and Purpose: At 69, Tony continues to work because he loves what he does, maintains a strong business edge, and enjoys navigating how organizations tick. He describes this as his fundamental sense of purpose.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this episode of The Interim. Our purpose is to give you thoughts, feed your curiosity, and energise you for professional success. Go well.
Outcomes and Results Focus: Highly effective interims are laser-focused on delivery and achieving strategic outcomes. They bring solutions, are decisive, and operate at pace, often needing to "break eggs to make an omelet" in order to achieve the desired results. Remaining calm under pressure is also linked to this habit.
Behaviour When Not in a Role: This habit focuses on how interims manage their time and relationships between assignments. It involves the "art" of gently prompting providers (e.g., quick texts, LinkedIn messages, occasional catch-ups) without being pushy or pestering. It also emphasizes patience, knowing one's worth, and not appearing desperate. Maintaining personal networks and avoiding one-sided relationships is also highlighted.
Sharpening Your Saw: The final habit is about continual learning, staying relevant, and evolving one's skillset. This includes staying at the forefront of industry trends, especially in technology, and actively engaging in thought leadership and peer conversations to keep fresh and adapt to the changing business landscape.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this episode of The Interim. Our purpose is to give you thoughts, feed your curiosity, and energise you for professional success.
