{"id":420,"date":"2014-02-13T22:00:52","date_gmt":"2014-02-14T06:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/imho.kileozier.com\/?p=420"},"modified":"2014-02-14T17:53:05","modified_gmt":"2014-02-15T01:53:05","slug":"successful-succession","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/imho.kileozier.com\/?p=420","title":{"rendered":"Successful Succession"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Ferenc\"<\/a>

Ferenc Nagy Performing @ Global Village, Dubai<\/p><\/div>\n

A Good Leader, a responsible Leader, plans for what is to follow.<\/p>\n

S\/he never assumes longevity, the Good Leader; remaining proactively aware that one\u2019s tenure on any project or in any company will always come to a close\u2026oftimes foreseen, though not uncommonly and sometimes disastrously ill-timed.<\/p>\n

One of the key – if not the crucial – responsibilities of Leadership is the preparation for one\u2019s untimely departure. Focused foresight and planning are integral parts of upholding one\u2019s responsibility as Leader.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t be responsible for leaving teams, projects, companies rudderless. Not for a moment.<\/p>\n

This is why many companies do not allow more than one or a very few executives to travel together; the risk of losing vast amounts of institutional and operational knowledge is simply too great.<\/p>\n

It is not only the large company that calls for the planning of one\u2019s exit. The fact is that any<\/i> team needs to be prepared with succession plans for principal losses; most especially, that of the Leader.<\/p>\n

How to prepare one\u2019s team? Simple stuff\u2026<\/p>\n

Share information<\/strong>. We\u2019ve written before in this space about the value of sharing information; of the resultant empowerment of one\u2019s team and individual investment in the project or goal. Implemented from the start and maintained on a continuous basis; the ongoing sharing of information as a project evolves is key to the successful stepping up of a temporary surrogate or permanent replacement.<\/p>\n

Keeping one\u2019s team informed, involving the team in the decision-making process – seeking input and informed opinion – prepares the entire body for the departure of any one individual. \u2026AND, as has been covered previously and will no doubt be covered, again; maintaining engagement of all team members ramps up personal investment in the project or company and tends to result in a far tighter and responsive team and exponentially better result.<\/p>\n

When the departing individual is the erstwhile leader, the confidence and value of s\/he who follows, knowing the how\u2019s and why\u2019s of the courses of action taken and decisions previously made cannot be overstated. Shared<\/i> Knowledge is Power; secrets undermine.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t risk a departure or absence that leaves your team(s) adrift; this is a fundamental betrayal of the trust placed in Leadership. Plan for departure from the first day, without leaving it to the last minute; as there may not be such a \u201clast minute\u201d for the building and activation of such a plan.<\/p>\n

Share relationships<\/strong>. Even if one is the primary point of contact with the client or executive on the job; even if one is the virtual fulcrum for the program, plan or operation; the simple and expansive practice of including one or two select members of the team to participate or simply \u201caudit\u201d meetings, sit in on calls, FaceTime or Skype sessions reaps rewards in myriad ways.<\/p>\n

What Myriad Ways?:<\/p>\n