Written by: Mark Dodd, Retired CEO of One Vision
Few organizational changes are as consequential as the transition to a new executive leader. The effects extend beyond the departing and incoming leaders to employees, clients, business partners, vendors and, for nonprofits, donors. The upcoming Chamber workforce seminar, Passing the Torch: Navigating Leadership Transitions, will explore how organizations can plan for succession, communicate through uncertainty and position a new leader for success.
Those questions became especially relevant to me as I planned for my recent retirement as Chief Executive Officer of One Vision. Because a nonprofit board is responsible for selecting the chief executive, I worked with One Vision’s Board of Directors to prepare for the transition. Together, we considered the organization’s future needs, the timing of the transition and whether an internal candidate, an external hire or another strategic option would best support the mission.
Drawing on that experience, I will discuss how our transition began, how much advance planning we had and whether it was enough. I will also address the distinct challenges facing outgoing and incoming leaders, what employees needed and how we communicated to manage uncertainty.
I am excited to participate in this presentation because leadership transitions are too important to address only when a departure is imminent. As I planned for my own retirement, I would have valued a presentation on these issues. Panelists will discuss how a new leader can establish an authentic leadership style while respecting an organization’s history, as well as the advantages and challenges of internal and external succession.
Attendees will consider what knowledge, relationships and responsibilities would be hardest to transfer in their own organizations. Whether a leadership change is imminent or years away, participants should leave with practical steps they can take now to prepare employees, strengthen succession planning and make a future transition more successful.