The Policy document allows the Board and Executive Director to work together without having to set a timeline or specify staff readiness. That reduces the anxiety many board members feel about initiating this critical conversation. And it can be part of a readily available policy manual.
The Plan is set up to allow easy annual updates if there are no major changes, and prompts rethinking when the senior staff officer starts planning to retire or move on. It creates an opportunity to annually communicate about the readiness of other senior staff to act in the role or be considered for promotion, something that can change quickly, especially if the expected successor is no longer available or interested. Since the Plan does include names of other staff members, and perhaps CEO plans that have not yet been announced, it is a highly confidential document available only to board members and the CEO. The CEO may share information about it with named staff members.
If you want a Word version for easier adaptation to your organization, please contact jane@garthsonleadership.ca.
CEO-ED Succession Policy generic
CEO-ED Succession Plan generic
