08/11/2023
Q: We know we need to plan for our leaders to leave the organization. How do we start succession planning?
A: Succession planning prepares your current employees to move into leadership and other critical roles, easing their transition and inspiring confidence in their ability to succeed. Here are a few steps you could take to get started with your succession plan for key positions you’ve identified:
1) Consider the future needs of the organization by identifying your short- and long-term goals, as well as what roles you will need to achieve those goals.
2) Once you identify the positions that are critical to these future needs, analyze the expertise, skills, and institutional knowledge these roles must have to be successful.
3) Create career roadmaps to facilitate developing employees into these positions. These roadmaps would include any formal or informal training needed, including any time that should be spent with someone currently in the role. This is an opportunity to share the institutional knowledge that isn’t always passed along when a role changes hands.