Succession Planning & Executive Transitions 101 Presented by C. Mark Palmer, CEO, Woodhaven Monica Wedlock Kilpatrick, Director of Connect Ministries, NBA Webinar: November 2018

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What’s the difference between executive transitions and succession planning? Executive transitions are intermittent events that are timeline driven. They often begin with a precipitating event – the chief executive announcing his or her intentions to leave the organization or a more abrupt removal of the executive, for example – and wind down once a new executive has assumed the role and is oriented to the board and organization. Succession planning, on the other hand, is an ongoing, continuous process that boards undertake to strengthen the foundation of the executive position. Succession planning creates the conditions for the incumbent chief executive to succeed, clarifies the organization’s current and future strategy, and provides a sound infrastructure to prepare the organization whenever the search for the next chief executive begins.1 1 “Communicating a Planned CEO Transition,” BoardSource.org

Workshop Outline Succession Planning Executive Transitions The What and The Why Who Should be Involved Creating a Plan for your Organization Review and Updating Sample Plans Executive Transitions The Context 5 Classic Leadership Transition Types Acting/Interim/Transition CEOs Transition Timeline Communication

Succession planning

Executive transitions

The Context for an Executive Transition There are many reasons an organization/ministry might go through an executive transition. What are some reasons you can think of? Retirement Resignation Firing Interim Emergency (illness, death, organization crisis)

5 Classic Leadership Transition Types Sustained success Underperforming organization Turnaround First hire Hard-to-follow executive

Acting / Interim / Transition Chief Executive Acting CEO: Bridge leadership, 4-6 months, handles day-to-day affairs of organization Interim CEO: Bridge leadership, 4-6 months, helps prepare the org to work with the incoming permanent CEO, deals with day-to-day affairs of the org, while at the same time building the platform for the permanent successor

Acting / Interim / Transition Chief Executive Transition CEO: extended service, 12-24 months, turn around an org experiencing serious problems or realign an underperforming org Note: this term “Transition CEO” is not common; orgs who have gone this route have often used the Interim CEO title

Executive Transition Timeline Departure-defined succession planning Prepare Pivot Thrive

Communicating a Planned CEO Leadership Transition Pre-Departure Announcement Planning Departure Announcement Progress Communications New Executive Introduction

NBA Executive Support Services There are a variety of ways the National Benevolent Association (NBA) might support the Executive Leadership and/or the Board of Trustees in Succession Planning, Executive Transitions, and a host of other administrative and operational support service needs. It is our desire to work with you to customize the kinds of support that might be most helpful ranging from providing sample resources, working directly with the board to design and implement a succession plan, full executive search support, or simply publicizing your position openings throughout the life of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). NBA draws on the expertise and experience of staff and the network of care providers across the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to support this work.

NBA Executive Support Services

q&A

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