Facing a CEO Transition Now?
When a CEO announces they are leaving, one of the first questions a board often asks is, “Do we need to conduct a search?”
Not necessarily.
We help boards step back and determine the right path based on the organization’s needs, its internal leadership pipeline, and what will be required from its next CEO.
There are three potential paths:
Promote from Within
If your organization has intentionally developed a strong internal successor and the board is confident that person is ready, a national search may not be necessary. Promoting from within can provide continuity and maintain momentum.
Independently Assess an Internal Candidate
Sometimes a board believes it has the right person internally but wants an objective perspective before making the decision.
We help boards define what the organization will need from its next CEO, gather input from key stakeholders, assess the internal candidate against those needs, and benchmark that person's readiness against the external talent market. This gives the board the information it needs to make the decision with confidence.
Conduct a National Search
Sometimes the right leader is not already inside the organization. The organization’s next chapter may require different experience, capabilities, or leadership than currently exists on the team.
In those situations, we partner with the board to conduct a rigorous national search and identify the leader best positioned to take the organization forward.
The goal is not to default to a search. It is to help the board determine which path is right for the organization and move forward with confidence.