08/18/2025

Don’t Plan for Succession

Plan for success

When organizations talk about succession planning, the conversation almost always centers around people. Who will step in when the current CEO retires? Who will lead the development team if the director leaves? It’s a game of musical chairs, hoping there’s a warm, capable body ready to take the next seat. A name gets slotted in to replace another name; boards feel relief that a vacancy won’t linger.

This mindset, focused narrowly on replacing individuals, often misses the deeper opportunity.

Think of it this way: If your best fundraiser resigns, the goal isn't to hire someone "just like them." The goal is to ensure that the relationships they nurtured, the pipeline they built and the strategies they refined are documented, transferable and measurable. You're not replacing a person — you're replacing their outputs.

Please select this link to read the complete article from eJewish Philanthropy.