Why does an interim manager see what the team no longer sees?
Because they have no political stake in the company. Present on a temporary basis and supported by one of the firm’s partners, the interim manager gives the CEO an objective view of the situation, often well beyond the project entrusted to them. This is what Luc Marot, President of ADN Transition and an interim management professional since 2005, explains.
In short
– The interim manager is there temporarily: they have no career to protect and no position to defend in the company.
– They give the CEO the reality of their perception, which makes it possible to decide and move forward much faster.
– They work at executive committee level or just below: their view can cover the whole organisation, not just their project.
Internal view or an interim manager’s view: what difference?
The teams in place know the company better than anyone. That is precisely what can prevent them from seeing certain things.
| Criterion | Internal executive | Interim manager |
|---|---|---|
| Presence in the company | Long-term | Temporary |
| Political stakes | Caught up in internal balances | None |
| View of the situation | Used to the organisation | Fresh and objective |
| Scope of their opinion | Their own area | The whole organisation, beyond the project |
| Level of intervention | Variable | Executive committee or N-1 |
| Support | None | A partner of the firm |
Why does having no political stake change everything?
An internal executive, however excellent, operates within a system: their career, their relationships, the balance between departments. This context influences, consciously or not, what they tell senior management.
The interim manager has none of this. They are not trying to stay, they are not aiming for a promotion. They can therefore say what they observe.
Luc Marot, President of ADN Transition, sums it up:
“They are not there to last, they are there temporarily, and that is something important.”
What does their view really bring you?
Not an absolute truth, but an honest, unfiltered perception of your company’s situation in relation to the project. For a CEO or a chairman, this is rare information.
Luc Marot puts it carefully:
“They will give you the reality of their perception. Speaking of truth would be a little pretentious. And it allows you, as CEO or chairman, to move forward much faster.”
At what level does an interim manager work?
Interim management is mainly aimed at executive committee positions, or the level just below (N-1 of the executive committee).
At this level, interim managers have the experience needed to offer a real point of view on your entire organisation, not just on their own scope.
How can you benefit from this view beyond the assigned project?
An interim manager is recruited for a specific project. But their independence also makes them a valuable sounding board for the CEO on everything else: organisation, how teams work, bottlenecks. You just have to ask for their opinion.
For Luc Marot, this is where the whole value of the profession lies:
“It is this quality of independence, with no political stakes, that allows you to make the most of interim managers’ qualities.”
The role of the ADN Transition partner
At ADN Transition, the interim manager is never alone. A partner of the firm, also a former senior executive, supports them throughout the assignment. The partner helps them step back and convey this objective view to senior management.
This manager is chosen by the partners from a pool of more than 5,000 interim managers, for their experience of a project of the same kind.
Read also: Why call on an interim manager for a complex project?
Who is Luc Marot?
Luc Marot is President of ADN Transition. He has worked in interim management since 2005. He began his career as an auditor at Arthur Andersen, then served as CFO at McDonald’s, NRJ and Lagardère. Since September 2026, he has been a board member of France Transition.
ADN Transition in a few facts
– Interim management firm founded in 2013.
– A pool of more than 5,000 interim managers.
– 6 partners and 7 senior advisors, all former senior executives.
– Offices in Boulogne-Billancourt and Lyon.
– Values: high standards, availability and sincerity.
Frequently asked questions
Why is an interim manager more objective than an internal executive?
Because they are there temporarily and have no political stake in the company: no career to protect, no position to defend.
Does an interim manager tell the truth about the company?
They give the reality of their perception, without political filter. This is what allows the CEO to move forward faster.
At what level of the company does an interim manager work?
Mainly at executive committee level, or just below (N-1 of the executive committee).
Is their view limited to the project entrusted to them?
No. Thanks to their level and independence, they can give a real point of view on the whole organisation.
Would you like an objective view of your organisation?
ADN Transition’s partners assess your need and introduce you to an interim manager who has already led a project of the same kind, supported by a partner throughout the assignment.
Thelma Fratacci joins ADN Transition as a work-study student
Bernard Puraye joins ADN Transition as Partner
How do you choose an umbrella company as an interim manager?
