Episode 9 - Planning Succession

Planning succession of critical roles in an SME is often a topic you postpone:What often happens is:Knowledge is not spreadDecisions escalate to the leaderCustomers and the Board want stabilityAnd the day you have to organize a transition… it’s urgent.The good news? The best time to prepare succession is when everything is relatively stable, because you can build a gradual transition over a few years:Identify your critical rolesDefine what “successful succession” meansIdentify 1 or 2 potential successors,Build a competency ramp-up plan through progressive assignments and mentoringTransfer knowledge based on a simple processes and documented decisionsDelegate with thresholds and  a period of co-steeringYou’re not replacing “a person.” You’re building an empowered organization that lasts over time.