From “He’s the Guy” to “Who’s He?” The Real Psychology of Letting Go

What happens to your life’s work when you’re ready for a new chapter — but you’ve never planned what comes next?In this episode, I’m joined by Bradley Franc, creator of The Succession Solution and author of The Succession Solution: The Strategic Guide to Business Transition. Brad has spent over 35 years guiding founders and family businesses through the most emotional transition there is: letting go without losing what matters.We talk about why succession fails 85% of the time for reasons you can control, why the real breakdown isn’t taxes or legal paperwork — it’s communication and trust — and how to stop the fear spiral that keeps people stuck in “someday.”Brad also shares his practical planning rhythm (vision → 3 years → 1 year → 90 days), the mindset shift from leader to teacher, and his simple but powerful framework for succession: transferring Knowledge, Management, and Ownership (KMO).If you’re building something a business, a career, a family legacy, or a next chapter — this conversation will give you clarity and a way to start.