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Leaving Well in the Workplace

Hope Isn't a Succession Strategy.

Published about 1 month ago • 1 min read

"Norman doesn't have an exit strategy. We just take one day at a time."

This quote from the Netflix documentary "Norman's Rare Guitars" captures the dangerous complacency I witness constantly in nonprofit leadership transitions.

Norm Harris built a world-renowned guitar shop over 50 years. Musicians like Lenny Kravitz and Joe Bonamassa frequent his store. His reputation for honesty and expertise is unparalleled.

Yet when it comes to succession, there's nothing but wishful thinking.

Norm himself says: "My kids aren't interested, so I'm gonna have to find somebody that loves the business and will treat it like I did."

This mirrors what I hear from nonprofit executives and board members:

  1. "We'll figure it out when the time comes."
  2. "No one can replace our leader anyway."
  3. "We're too busy with current operations to think about succession."

Your organization's mission deserves better than hope as a strategy.

In our latest article, I break down the succession planning failures evident in Norman's case, and offer concrete alternatives that preserve legacy while enabling healthy transitions.

​Read the full article here.​

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Are you a board member whose org hasn't yet prioritized succession planning? Are you an ED / CEO who doesn't know how to broach the topic? Forward your board members this email with a simple note: "Food for thought for our next meeting."

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What succession planning challenges are you facing? Reply to this email - I read every response.

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Leaving Well in the Workplace

Naomi Hattaway, Founder and President

Your Leaving Well guide to navigating workplace transitions 🧡 I normalize workplace transitions one organization + person at a time. Leaving Well is the art + practice of leaving in the workplace, with intention + joy.

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