Managing Executive Transitions A Guide for Nonprofits
| Article Ideas |
Author and executive transition expert Tim Wolfred is available for writing articles for your periodical or blog. The article ideas below focus on ways to help boards and executive directors handle leadership turnovers in a way that prevents problems and sets the organization on a path for long-term success.
Ideas 1. Overview of the Prepare, Pivot, Thrive model. Executive hires are transformational rather than transactional (i.e. filling a vacant position). This article would describe the three phase model that Wolfred uses. Readers would come away with five essential steps in each phase that ensure a transformational outcome for their executive transition. 2. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Case studies of actual transitions: successful, so-so, and disastrous. The article, based on Wolfred's direct experience, would explain the do’s and don’ts in managing a leadership turnover. It will also show how nonprofits have adapted the three phase model to their special transition dynamics. 3. Seven essentials for a successful executive transition. Leaving out any one of these elements can cause the transition to fail in a few different ways: The new executive might have a short and troubled tenure, staff could leave, funders desert the agency, or the agency's programs will become increasingly out of touch with its constituents' needs. Readers will understand why these elements are important and find tips for including them in their transition process. The seven elements include:
4. Board preparedness. The time to prepare is before the current executive resigns. This article covers recommended steps a board can take to prepare for a successful leadership transition such as updating the agency’s vision and strategic directions. Readers would take away a transition readiness checklist that can help a board decide what preparedness steps are most important for their organization. 5. Tips for the search and selection process. Many nonprofits struggle with finding a pool of strong, demographically diverse candidates.This article provides boards with practical screening activities that will help them get a clear sense as to how well final candidates fit with the organization's leadership needs. 6. Processes for easing a new executive into his or her job. Executive transitions aren't done when the new leaders accepts the position. This article describes how to build a strong foundation for moving forward with steps such as setting appropriate performance goals for the newly hired executive. 7. The five biggest mistakes boards make when hiring a new executive director…and how to avoid them. This article is directed specifically at nonprofit board members. It acknowledges the challenges that boards face and describes the common mistakes to avoid. 8. Time efficient methods for creating or updating your leadership vision. A successful leadership transition starts with a crisp “Leadership Agenda” that clarifies the organization's strategic vision and the skills your next leader will need to meet future goals. This article shows how to update (or create) this important agenda without taking a lot of time. 9. Grooming a successor. There are special issues executives need to consider in naming and preparing an heir apparent. This article describes how to avoid common pitfalls and set the successor up for success. 10. The when’s and how’s of using an interim executive director. Tim Wolfred knows a thing or two about being an interim director. Before joining CompassPoint, he had served in this role sixteen times. In this article, Wolfred discusses when it's helpful to put a temporary CEO in place, where to find good candidates, and how to make the most of what they can do for your agency during their interim tenure. 11. Q&A with the author. |