Succession planning

Instead of focusing on who’s “ahead,” focus on who’s actually best-suited to the top job.

Hitting the hiring bull’s-eye is one of an executive’s most important—and most difficult—responsibilities. Ten common mistakes can get in the way, but a pointed and systematic approach can virtually guarantee success.

Tim Cook is on track to be the next Steve Ballmer.

Two ways Cisco does it.

Last spring Brett Favre pulled the plug on his pro football career, saying that he didn’t have the heart to play any longer. This July he’s had a change of heart. This is not the first time Favre has changed his mind about retirement. But what’s different this time is that his team, the Green […]

What could be more difficult than finding a new CEO? Many companies say it’s finding someone who’s willing to sign up for the number two job: COO. The problem often lies with a firm’s uncertainty about whether it’s looking for a “pure” COO or for a successor to the CEO. The board should be clear […]

Outsiders are overrated.

With the battle for the best and brightest people heating up again, you're most likely out there looking for first-rate talent in the ranks of your competitors....

When some managers take over a new job, they hit the ground running. They learn the ropes, get along with their bosses and subordinates, gain credibility,...

You can’t expect to just step into mom or dad’s shoes.

Having read every posting and response so far in the debate, I see that everyone has naturally focused either on the moral and practical appropriateness...

You can't avoid them.

How companies are lowering turnover in the top seat.

Edward Bennett is a talented CEO with a lot on his plate. But he’s not getting any younger, and his board can’t get him engaged in succession planning.

He led the company through three glorious years—and then one very lousy one.

An HBR article on former GE executives' success rates at new companies prompts an executive search consultant to dig deeper.

A new study finds no correlation between how a company's stock fares upon the announcement of a new CEO and the share price over that CEO's tenure. In...

The literature on CEO succession planning is nearly unanimous in its advice: Begin early, look first inside your company for exceptional talent, see that...

Do you give them the dirt?

The blogosphere is abuzz with speculation about the health of Steve Jobs and what that means for leadership succession at Apple. Apple remains relatively secretive about this issue, and customers, employees and investors alike are left to wonder if Apple will pull off a successful succession when it has to — or if it will […]