2020 made it clear: Succession planning isn’t optional

2020 brought an unprecedented wave of early retirements on campuses. This unanticipated contingency highlights the importance of succession planning for institutions. Succession planning is the essential practice of identifying and developing leaders within your organization for their advancement. Successful succession planning yields a stronger workforce and better long-term outcomes. Institutions must not bank exclusively on a few key leaders.

A robust organization has capable leaders at all levels of it structure. If your college had a sudden departure of a key institutional or departmental leader, would there be other employees willing to fill and capable of filling the gap? If the stability of your organization rests in a small number of individuals, your institution is vulnerable.

Just as 2020 should be a cautionary tale for employers, it has also been a wake-up call for employees.

Many individuals are considering their career paths with renewed scrutiny. The pandemic has caused them to question their assumptions and reevaluate their goals. Whether it’s a layoff in the midst of a challenging year or the shift to working from home, employees are evaluating what matters to them. Individuals want to be engaged in meaningful work. They want to see clear paths for growth and success.