Resources + Tools

Executive Transition + Succession

Nonprofits are on the verge of losing large numbers of leaders; almost half of our members report that they anticipate a leadership change in the next five years, and other estimates are even more dramatic. Yet organizations are unprepared for these executive transitions, and for many the topic remains taboo.

MANP is committed to supporting mission-driven leadershifts.

Why?

Now is a critical moment to shift the mindset about succession planning to one of deeper sustainability planning. This type of succession planning is not about, or not just about, what to do when your executive director leaves. At its core, it is a strategy for keeping mission in the forefront as your organization navigates inevitable change. It is a process to identify organizational values and develop practices that safeguard the important work of your organization.

There is risk in transition, but there is also enormous opportunity, and we all must step up to the challenge.

Together let’s reframe and recommit to using succession planning as a way to ensure the sustainability of our missions, which are essential to a healthy and vibrant Maine.

How MANP Can Help

A part of our Mission-Driven Leadershift initiative, MANP offers:

• A curated collection of guides and articles on
  • succession planning (including emergency succession planning),
  • developing leadership capacity,
  • transitions management,
  • new leader orientation,
  • resources for departing CEOs,
  • and more.
• A Mission-Driven Executive Transitions toolkit for the nuts and bolts of managing an executive director transition, including an overview of the phases of transition, managing a search, making a hire, and orienting a leader.
• On demand training for boards to help everyone get on the same page about the process and roles in managing leadership transition.
• Endorsed referrals for high-quality executive search services at a competitive price.
• A blog series featuring insights from a range of thought leaders within and outside the nonprofit sector.
• Our Leadership Institute, designed specifically to support executive directors in creating cultures of learning and leadership, and develop knowledge, skills, and a powerful professional network.

Where Should You Start?

• Help! We have an unplanned/emergency transition!
• We’re starting a transition process.
• Our Executive Director will leave in the next few years.
• We want to build a strong foundation to prepare for a future transition.

Help! We have an unplanned/emergency transition!

1. Visit our Answer Center for emergency succession planning resources
2. Use the MANP Business Finder to find a consultant with executive transitions or interim experience.
3. Consider the option of an interim executive director.

We’re starting a transition process.

1. Learn about managing executive transitions.
2. Use our new Mission-Driven Executive Transitions toolkit for step-by-step guidance.
3. Get your board on the same page with this 2-3 hour training, scheduled at your convenience.
4. Consider consultant support. Contact one of these executive search providers to discuss your options.
5. Get a peek at the insights shared during our luncheon on executive transitions and forum on sustainability planning and leadership capacity development.
6. Is your CEO a founder? Be sure to check out our section on Founder Transitions in our Answer Center.
7. Are you the departing CEO? We’ve got resources for you, too!
8. The transition doesn’t end when you hire! Give thought to bringing on your new Executive Director, too!

Our Executive Director will leave in the next few years.

1. Create a succession plan.
2. Learn about managing executive transitions.
3. Get a peek at the insights shared during our luncheon on executive transitions and forum on sustainability planning and leadership capacity development.
4. Read our guest blog series featuring the reflections of leaders in the field on preparing for and managing leadership transition.
5. Is your CEO a founder? Be sure to check out our resources on Founder Transitions in our Answer Center.
6. Are you the departing CEO? We’ve got resources for you, too!

We want to build a strong foundation to prepare for a future transition.

• Read our guest blog series featuring the reflections of leaders in the field on preparing for and managing leadership transition.
• Make sure you that have an emergency succession plan in place, and are exploring ways to build leadership capacity.

A Little Light Reading

A lot of terrific writing and reporting informs our thinking. A few articles and reports we recommend:

• The 2015 Leadership New England report
• The Evolution of Executive Transition and Allied Practices, CompassPoint and Raffa
• The Nonprofit Leadership Development Deficit, Stanford Social Innovation Review
• The Importance of Linking Leadership Succession, Strategy and Governance, Nonprofit Quarterly
• Have others? We’d love to hear what you’re reading. Email us at HelpDesk@NonprofitMaine.org to share.