Managing Executive Transitions

The Essential Guide for Managing Leadership Turnovers A leadership transition can be a time of high vulnerability for a nonprofit organization. On the other hand, an executive turnover offers unique opportunities for renewal and fresh thinking. Managing Executive Transitions shows how this state of transition can give board and staff members a chance to put things back together in new and creative ways—to discard some old pieces and to bring in fresh elements. Nonprofit boards and executive directors will find practical advice on how to manage leadership turnovers in ways that can heighten mission impact while avoiding potential downsides. Author Tim Wolfred recommends a transformational process of three phases: Prepare, Pivot, and Thrive. In the Prepare phase board members, staff, volunteers, and funders engage in an efficient process for updating the agency's strategic directions and crafting a profile of the skills needed in the next executive. In the Pivot phase a search ensues, conducted by a board reinvigorated and excited about the agency's future impact. In the Thrive phase the board engages the newly hired executive as a leadership partner and gives him or her clear performance priorities derived from the strategic directions. Engaging case studies and hands-on tools such as planning agendas, timelines, sample letters, and communication tips will smooth the transition to new executive leadership.

Clear, actionable guidance toward managing a major leadershipchange Transitions at the Top is an insightful, informativeguide to navigating a change in leadership. A smooth transition iscritical to both the health of the organization and the success ofthe new leader, but good planning and strong strategy can helporganizations come out fresher and more driven on the other side.This book provides the specific principles, guidelines, and actionsthat boards, C-suite executives, and HR leaders need to guarantee asuccessful CEO transition. Continuity is key as one leader passesthe mantle to a successor, and this book spans the steps and eventsthat take place from when the candidate accepts the offer, all theway through the point where a critical mass of followers haveaccepted him or her as the established leader. Coverage includesguidance on who should be engaged in the process, as well asrole-specific advice for each member of the transition managementteam. Many books have been written to advise new incoming CEOs, butthere is little guidance available for the organization as a whole.This book provides actionable advice on smoothing the transitionwithout breaking stride. Maintain continuity during leadership transitions Strengthen focus on culture, systems, and processes Engage all influential executives in smoothing thetransition Lay a foundation to help the new leader succeed The transition management team plays a crucial role inmaintaining the health of the organization during a time of majorchange. Strong strategy becomes critical when an organization is influx, and high engagement is key. Transitions at the Topprovides expert insight, clear guidance, and a solid plan for asmoother transition.

Would it surprise you to learn that 40% of executive transitions fail during the first 18 months? With more executives facing exponential challenges, a crisis is imminent and the consequences for organizations and executives alike are severe and far-reaching. Mastering Executive Transitions: The Definitive Guide, by Navid Nazemian, explores the intersection between executive leaders and their career transitions, the research of transitions versus the reality of it, and the increased complexity and demands from executives coupled with shorter tenure and executive overwhelm. This book demonstrates how the biggest transition mistakes can be avoided and provides a proven framework to transition most successfully. It is an invaluable resource for: Executives who are about to transition professionally Human Resources leaders and talent directors who are keen to support their leaders with their transition, and enhance their existing executive transition (onboarding) process Executive coaches who have specialized in leadership transitions Through authentically demonstrated experience and key insights into the challenges that the modern executive faces, Mastering Executive Transitions: The Definitive Guide aims to bend executive transitions away from failure and towards the masterful and successfully crafted.

This Harvard Business Review collection features the best in leadership transitions from celebrated author and advisor Michael D. Watkins. Watkins, who has worked for decades guiding senior leaders into new roles to help them and their organizations succeed, is the author of the international bestseller The First 90 Days. With more than 400,000 copies sold worldwide and published in more than 25 languages, the book has become the standard reference for leaders in transition. In addition to the full digital edition (ebook) of The First 90 Days, this collection includes digital editions of Watkins’ other popular works: Your Next Move, which guides professionals through the most common career transitions; Shaping the Game, on how to lead effective negotiations; and his 2012 Harvard Business Review article, “How Managers Become Leaders.” Watkins, whose ideas have guided some of the world’s best leaders through successful transitions, is the chairman of leadership development consultancy Genesis Advisers. Drawing on the perfect combination of research and hands-on experience, he has spent the last two decades working with leaders—both corporate and public—as they transition to new roles, negotiate the future of their organizations, and craft their legacy as leaders. He was previously a professor at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, Harvard Business School, INSEAD in France, and IMD in Switzerland.

An executive’s transition into any leadership role can be a challenge. Such transitions do not always go smoothly, and the negative consequences can be significant. This is particularly so for Chief Information Officers (CIOs), as the role has evolved significantly over the years yet remains deeply ambiguous. This is despite information and technology moving from the periphery of an organization to a fundamental driver of innovation and competitive advantage. This book is to help the newly appointed CIO “take charge”: the process of learning and taking action that the newly appointed CIO goes through until s/he has mastered the new assignment in sufficient depth to be effective in the role. This book provides keen insights into the challenges faced by today's CIOs while transitioning into a new role and enlightens readers on how to navigate the organizational environment in order to implement necessary changes. With plenty of practical tools and insights it will help you to: • Decide how best to approach the job • Prioritize the first areas of the business you should attend to • Draw up your goals for the first few weeks and months into the role • Find out if there are there any decisions that you can postpone making Based on over 200 interviews with CIOs, CxOs, and recruiters, this book offers readers guidance on how to take on the role of a business executive with special responsibility for information and technology, with ten key prescriptions to maximize success.

The Nonprofit Leadership Transition and Development Guide In this dynamic resource, Tom Adams (an expert in succession planning who has worked with hundreds of organizations) shows how intentional leadership development and properly managed leadership transitions provide nonprofits with the rare opportunity to change direction, maintain momentum, and strengthen their capacity. This accessible guidebook is filled with illustrative stories, instructive lessons, best practices, and practical tools that can be used to ensure a successful nonprofit leadership transition. "It is terrific to have a book which so effectively addresses the unique challenges and opportunities of leadership in the nonprofit sector, replete with sound advice and concrete examples. Tom Adams brings a wealth of experience and savvy to the topic. Paid and volunteer leaders of nonprofits at all levels will benefit from reading it."—Irv Katz, president and CEO, National Human Services Assembly "The guide is one of its kind in providing a realistic frame for the world of nonprofit leaders. It is long overdue in the sector as a real tool for leaders. Maybe even more important, it helps nonprofit boards of directors and philanthropic organizations to understand the connection between their investment in leadership and achieving organizational goals." —Diane Bell McKoy, CEO, Associated Black Charities "Rich with instructive examples and advice, this book is grounded in the reality of nonprofits. It will be an extraordinarily useful guide to nonprofit organizations of all types and sizes." —Ruth McCambridge, editor in chief, Nonprofit Quarterly "Make no mistake: attracting and retaining top talent should be priority number one for the nonprofit sector. Adams's book offers practical advice for how to embed this priority into the sector's DNA. All who care about nonprofit effectiveness would be well-served to give this book a close read."—Kathleen P. Enright, president and CEO, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations

Managing Transitions addresses the fact that it is people who have to carry out change.