When Your Team Is Comparing You To The Person Before You

“Rajesh would have handled this differently.”

Someone said it in the meeting.

Week two.

A few heads nodded.

If you’ve stepped into a role after someone the team genuinely respected, this will feel familiar.

The comparisons start early.

“Rajesh used to do it this way.”
“Rajesh always knew how to handle this.”
“Rajesh would’ve seen this coming.”

What’s really being tested in those moments isn’t your competence.

It’s whether you’ll dismiss the past or respect it.

Here’s the mistake many leaders make:

They assume they’re inheriting a problem…

They’re not.

They’re inheriting a legacy.

I’ve seen three common responses:

1. Try to prove you’re better – resistance increases
2. Try to replicate your predecessor – authenticity erodes
3. Acknowledge what was built – trust opens up
   

One simple move makes a disproportionate difference.

Say this early on:

“Rajesh built something strong here. I see that.
I’m not here to undo it. I want to build on it.”

Then ask:

“What’s important to you that we ‘continue’ doing well?”

That’s usually the turning point.

The team stops defending the past.

The comparisons soften.

The conversation shifts from who you replaced to how you’ll work together.

One leader I worked with tried this a few months into the role.

Later, a team member told him:

“We were worried you’d change everything.
But you took the time to understand first.”

The comparisons didn’t disappear because he became like Rajesh.

✨They disappeared because he didn’t compete with him.

If you’re stepping into a role after a well-regarded leader:

• Respect what was built
• Stay curious about what matters to your team
• Lead in your own way

• You don’t need to fill anyone’s shoes.

✨You need to earn trust in the present.

If you’ve taken over from a respected leader – what helped you navigate that transition?

Ashwni Sharma

Executive & Leadership Coach ( ICF-PCC → MCC in Progress ) · Marshall Goldsmith Certified · Founder & MD, A Brighter Life

Ashwni, the Founder and MD of A Brighter Life, is dedicated to empowering leaders to enhance their effectiveness, mindfulness, and influence for joyful success. With over 27+ years of corporate experience, driven by his passion for personal transformation, Ashwni left a successful career spanning four major companies across the UK, USA, and India. Working with CXOs, Board Members, and Top Leaders globally, he combines business management skills with life transformation expertise to enable practical and applicable conversations and actions. He holds international certifications as an Executive Coach and has mastered modalities such as NLP and Hypnotherapy. Ashwni’s passion lies in fostering self-leadership as the foundation for leadership development.

Connect with Ashwni Sharma