Client Stories

PREPARING NEW LEADERS

Moving Beyond an Individual
Having founded an organization largely on his own reputation, a chief executive took steps to elevate others to more prominent positions as leaders and spokespersons for the company. His goal was to encourage people to view the company and its staff members as the resource, removing himself from the forefront. CHP&M assisted the chief executive with formulating a strategy that identified key management issues and managers who have the expertise to take the lead on each of the issues. CHP&M then worked with the chief executive and the selected managers to develop their identities as the experts in their respective areas.

CEO Prepares a Successor
Intent on retiring within two years, the president of a nonprofit hired a chief operating officer from outside the organization. Under the president's tutelage, the COO gradually was given wider responsibilities – making it possible for the COO to gain the Board's confidence. When the president was ready to retire, the COO was prepared to assume the leadership role. CHP&M worked with the president and Executive Committee to design a process that would enable the Board to thoroughly vet the COO. The Board wanted to make sure that it could fully explore all its options so that the promotion of the COO would not be seen as an easy – or inappropriate – choice.

Supporting the New Leader
A nonprofit board, having interviewed numerous outside candidates for the executive director position, opted to hire a young manager from within who had been a member of the search committee. Understanding that the manager needed to develop his expertise on certain aspects of his new role, the board agreed to take on specific assignments and to provide coaching for the new executive director during a two-year transition period. CHP&M facilitated the implementation plan that divided responsibilities between the board and executive director. The executive director concentrated on building a leadership team and implementing the strategic plan, while the board assumed fundraising activities. With the transition period coming to an end, the fundraising activities are being transferred back to the executive director who has honed his skills over the past two years and is now ready to take on the additional responsibility.