Who are you bring up? Who are you bringing on?
Who are you bringing up? Who are you bringing on? Two of the most important questions any successful leader will ask. This “Succession Planning Loop” playing in your brain should never really shut down. Great teams are made from continually recruiting talent and helping it grow!
For most non-profit boards, the by-laws will dictate terms of office and official duties, and the nominating committee will surface candidates for a vote. It is the successful Executive Director that will prospect names, orient members to the mission, and engage everyone in helpful and supportive ways. Instead of getting a “well intending person with a lot to say” … recruit people that can shepherd your mission and get things done!
Do you have the talent to fill your officer positions for the next three years? Is everyone engaged and attending board meetings? Is the agenda reactive and urgent or is it strategic and steady? Who do you need to make things better? Who’s going to make things happen? It’s important to continually play the “on/up” succession planning loop using these questions to frame your answers.
Don’t simply hire to fill a position … hire to fill the next position … the one you are developing to take over for you. An employer I’ve worked with said “if you can’t see the candidate promoted two steps up the ladder … don’t hire them.” Succession planning isn’t a threat to your job … it’s your life blood. Without continually recruiting talent and coaching it up … you, your organization, and your performance with surely lag.
Who are you bringing up? Who are you bringing on? Ideally success … that’s who!
~ Glenn Svetnicka
