The Importance of Succession Planning

Why consider succession planning?

Succession planning refers to the ongoing development of potential successors to ensure a smooth transition and minimum loss of efficiency when management vacancies occur.

Whether one calls it succession planning or something else, it makes good business sense for each team leader to continually develop one or more potential successors. No one is indispensable, but the absence or loss of a team member can cause inconvenience that could readily be avoided with some forethought to serious employee development.

BOTTOMLINE: Planning for how your shoes will be filled when you are no longer there and even planning for knowledgeable coverage when you are ill or vacationing simply makes good sense. It pays to regard succession planning as part of every team leader's job.