By Ipupa Fadeyi
Stepping into a vacant senior position in an organization is a defining moment for any professional.
Companies often select an internal candidate to act in the role while advertising it both internally and externally to find the right permanent fit.
In this scenario, the acting candidate and several internal peers apply, interviews take place, and the role goes to one of those internal peers instead. This situation tests resilience and reveals true leadership potential.
These moments arrive unexpectedly in every career, especially at the C-suite level where stakesmfeel sky high. The acting candidate might have poured heart and soul into the temporary role, only to watch a colleague claim the prize.
Disappointment stings, questions swirl and self-doubt can creep in. Yet, from a mentor’s perspective, this is not an endpoint but a powerful pivot point rich with opportunity for growth.
Process Your Emotions First
If you find yourself in this position, it can feel like a personal and professional blow. It’s natural to wrestle with disappointment and question your worth or future prospects.
Yet, how you handle this scenario could become one of the most defining moments of your leadership journey. First, acknowledge your feelings.
Disappointment is real and valid. Give yourself permission to process it without judgment. Then, shift your mindset from loss to learning. Ask yourself: what new insight did this experience uncover about your skills, your aspirations, or the company’s needs?
Remember, not getting the role doesn’t diminish your potential or past contributions. It might simply mean that the optimal fit for that specific moment lies elsewhere.
Your peer’s success is not a defeat for you, it’s a different narrative in your shared leadership journey. Use this moment to deepen professionalism. Extend genuine congratulations to the successful candidate.
Supporting them publicly shows your strength of character and commitment to the organization’s greater good. This attitude not only builds goodwill but also garners respect and positions you for future opportunities.
Celebrate Your Peer Gracefully
A simple note or team shout-out that says, “I support our shared success.” This builds bridges rather than walls. In tight-knit executive circles, grudges erode influence while generosity elevates it.
Your peer now carries the role’s weight; offer quiet support when needed. This creates reciprocity, positioning you as a team player indispensable to the organization’s health.
Seek Feedback with Openness
Feedback becomes your greatest ally post-rejection. Request a candid debrief from the decision-makers, framing it positively: “I value this experience and seek insights to grow further.” Listen without defensiveness, noting patterns in responses.
Perhaps the peer excelled in stakeholder alignment or innovative strategy, areas you can strengthen. Act on this intelligence swiftly. Enroll in targeted training, shadow mentors in those skills, or lead a project showcasing newfound abilities.
This proactive stance transforms setback into setup, signaling to leaders your commitment to excellence. Peers notice too, building alliances that pay dividends later.
Invest in Self-Reflection and Development
Pause for deep self-assessment. Dust off your Personal Development Plan or Wheel of Life tool to map current realities against aspirations. Identify one to three high-impact areas: perhaps executive presence, data-driven decision-making, or cross-functional influence.
Set measurable goals with timelines, tracking progress monthly/quarterly. Engage a mentor or coach for unbiased perspective. Share specifics from the process; they might spot blind spots or affirm overlooked strengths.
Broaden Your Long-Term Vision
Finally, keep your vision broad and long-term. Leadership paths are rarely linear. Setbacks like these can catalyze breakthroughs if met with resilience and an open heart.
Your journey as CEO of your Career is about pacing yourself, learning continuously and rising to leadership moments, large and small, with grace. In this situation, wisdom lies in humility, strategic patience and a steadfast commitment to your professional growth. The way you respond today shapes your leadership legacy tomorrow!
* Ipupa Fadeyi is an Employability Skill Mentor, Young Professionals Career Coach & Founder, IpupaK Grow You
