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THE QUESTION
Proven Leadership or Fresh Blood?
Last week Anne Mulcahy, 56, announced her retirement as chief executive of Xerox after a successful eight-year run. Do too many leaders--even effective ones--hang on too long? What should organizations do to counteract that tendency?
Posted by Ben Bradlee and Steve Pearlstein on May 26, 2009 10:33 AM
FROM THE PANEL
Military Solutions
The process for ensuring senior military leaders do not stagnate is provided for by law. Once a four-star general is relieved from the position, the officer must be reappointed to a position at the same grade, revert to a lower grade, or retire within 60 days.
Posted by Col. Charles D. Allen, on May 29, 2009 2:59 PM
All About Quality
In the end, the question of succession all depends on the quality of leadership the CEO exercises. It is that which matters, not the duration of his or her stay.
Posted by Pablo Eisenberg, on May 28, 2009 12:03 PM
A Wrenching Decision
When to leave poses one of the most wrenching decisions a Chief Executive must make. Here are three questions to light the way.
Posted by Gen. Monty Meigs (Ret.), on May 28, 2009 11:57 AM
Lessons for Boards
Boards need to do a better job of making sure CEOs understand from their first days on the job that they will be expected to develop solid succession plans across the enterprise.
Posted by John R. Ryan, on May 27, 2009 10:56 AM
Successful Grooming
The succession process Xerox used in the the transition from Anne Mulcahy to Ursula Burns is a model of how succession should be done.
Posted by Bill George, on May 27, 2009 10:53 AM
When "Short-Termism" Makes Sense
Boards should start off new administrations with the express understanding that the CEO's term is limited, and exceptions should be rare.
Posted by Slade Gorton, on May 27, 2009 10:50 AM
Fresh Political Blood
Anne Mulcahy's departure raises the question of how long political leaders should stay in office -- even when they're still effective.
Posted by Gen. John Batiste (Ret.), on May 27, 2009 10:45 AM
Changing Times, Changing Leaders
Board members must always bear in mind why they hired a particular CEO. If the objectives have changed, if the reasons for hiring the CEO no longer apply, then it's probably time for a new chief executive.
Posted by Yash Gupta, on May 26, 2009 4:06 PM
Firing the Leader
When a leader stays too long, it's usually the fault of the oversight committee--people who are too timid or too intimidated to do what they probably know is right.
Posted by Alan M. Webber, on May 26, 2009 2:59 PM
Never Too Short
It is rare to hear people say that a leader's tenure was too short. Too often the discussion of succession is seen as disloyal or conspiratorial.
Posted by Andy Stern, on May 26, 2009 2:14 PM
The Last At-Bat
When we work with top teams, we often ask about succession plans. Instead, what we frequently find, instead, are non-succession plans. People who stay too long no longer bring their A game.
Posted by Marty Linsky, on May 26, 2009 10:55 AM
A Leader for One Season
Different types of leaders are needed at different stages of an organization's life cycle, and, in the final analysis, boards of directors have the primary responsibility to find the right fit.
Posted by David Walker, on May 26, 2009 10:52 AM
Psychic Investment
Non-profits face this challenge all the time, especially with founders who have more of a psychic than a financial investment, and whose organizations often lack a deep bench due to financial constraints.
Posted by Bill Shore, on May 26, 2009 10:47 AM
CEO Term Limits
Performance tends to deteriorate over time, and excising bad leadership becomes more difficult the longer and more deeply it's entrenched.
Posted by Barbara Kellerman, on May 26, 2009 10:38 AM
FEATURED COMMENTS
egilsondagama: Life observations have shown that successful examples usually come from experience, which no doubt makes big difference. Interesting stories...
antonio3: I do agree that to many leaders hang on out of pride or what ever and then comes the problems....
Compared2What: Very few people are qualified to be CEO, much less a great CEO. A company fortunate enough to have two can afford to let one leave. But fo...
