--- title: [Real Life HR] Succession Planning for Your Leaders description: We know we need to plan for our leaders to leave the organization. How do we start succession planning? image: https://blog.ahola.com/hubfs/steven-lelham-atSaEOeE8Nk-unsplash.jpg --- Start typing and press Enter to search * * # [Real Life HR] Succession Planning for Your Leaders [Home](https://www.ahola.com/) » [News & Events](https://blog.ahola.com/real-life-hr-succession-planning-for-your-leaders) » [Real Life HR] Succession Planning for Your Leaders [2023-06-14%2014:38:47](2023-06-14%2014:38:47) ![](https://blog.ahola.com/hubfs/steven-lelham-atSaEOeE8Nk-unsplash.jpg) ## [Real Life HR] Succession Planning for Your Leaders By [ Ahola Corporation ](https://blog.ahola.com/author/ahola-corporation)  Posted [ June 14, 2023](2023-06-14%2014:38:47)  In  [Employee Engagement](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/employee-engagement), [Human Resources](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/human-resources), [Recruiting](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/recruiting), [Training & Development](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/training-development), [Employees](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/employees), [Hiring](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/hiring) - - - - - Q: We know we need to plan for our leaders to leave the organization. How do we start succession planning? A: It’s wise to think about succession planning before you need to fill leadership roles—this will make a potentially stressful time easier to manage. Succession planning prepares your current employees to move into leadership and other critical roles, easing their transition and inspiring confidence in their ability to succeed. Here are a few steps we recommend taking to get started with your succession planning for key positions you’ve identified: 1. Consider the future needs of the organization by identifying your short- and long-term goals, as well as what roles you will need to achieve those goals. 2. Once you identify the positions that are critical to these future needs, analyze the expertise, skills, and institutional knowledge these roles must have to be successful. 3. Create career roadmaps to facilitate developing employees into these positions. These roadmaps would include any formal or informal training needed, including any time that should be spent with someone currently in the role. This is an opportunity to share the institutional knowledge that isn’t always passed along when a role changes hands. 4. Share these roadmaps with supervisors and the employees selected to grow into the roles. Explain the expectations and timeline, and allow them to ask questions and provide input. If applicable, let the employees know it is their choice to take on the challenge. 5. Update career roadmaps as needed. If the goals of your organization change, your succession plans may need to change with them. 6. Periodically check in on employees’ progression to provide them with feedback and updates. You can find more information on succession planning [on the blog.](https://blog.ahola.com/) *This Q&A does not constitute legal advice and does not address state or local law.*   ### Reply a Comment ## RELATED POSTS [![](https://blog.ahola.com/hubfs/Interview.png) ](https://blog.ahola.com/real-life-hr-questions-to-avoid-in-an-interview) [[Real Life HR] Questions to Avoid in an Interview](https://blog.ahola.com/real-life-hr-questions-to-avoid-in-an-interview) [![](https://blog.ahola.com/hubfs/manager-1.jpg) ](https://blog.ahola.com/real-life-hr-manager-comments-on-employees-accent) [[Real Life HR] Manager Comments on Employee's Accent](https://blog.ahola.com/real-life-hr-manager-comments-on-employees-accent) [![](https://blog.ahola.com/hubfs/rene-ranisch-zBoK4-I1XUM-unsplash.jpg) ](https://blog.ahola.com/real-life-hr-employee-makes-a-harassment-claim) [[Real Life HR] Employee Makes a Harassment Claim](https://blog.ahola.com/real-life-hr-employee-makes-a-harassment-claim) ## SUBSCRIBE ### Recent posts - [Professionalizing HR Without Losing Your Family Culture ](https://blog.ahola.com/professionalizing-hr-without-losing-your-family-culture) - [Why Encouraging Employees to Take Summer Vacation Benefits Your Workplace ](https://blog.ahola.com/why-encouraging-employees-to-take-summer-vacation-benefits-your-workplace) - [Ahola Named a 2026 Top Workplace — Six Years Running! ](https://blog.ahola.com/ahola-named-a-2026-top-workplace) - ### Topics - [Affordable Care Act (13)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/affordable-care-act) - [Benefits (223)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/benefits) - [Cybersecurity (1)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/cybersecurity) - [Employee Engagement (255)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/employee-engagement) - [Employees (603)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/employees) - [Family Business Insights (10)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/family-business-insights) - [Hiring (282)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/hiring) - [Human Resources (645)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/human-resources) - [Laws/Policies (26)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/laws-policies) - [Managing COVID-19 (153)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/managing-covid-19) - [News Release (56)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/news-release) - [Offboarding (3)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/offboarding) - [onboarding (7)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/onboarding) - [Payroll (428)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/payroll) - [Recruiting (142)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/recruiting) - [Safety (121)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/safety) - [Tax Compliance (230)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/tax-compliance) - [Time & Attendance (124)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/time-attendance) - [Training & Development (214)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/training-development) - [Trending Topic (75)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/trending-topic) - [Uncategorized (1)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/uncategorized) - [Webinars (69)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/webinars) - [Workers Comp (1)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/workers-comp) [see all topics](https://blog.ahola.com/real-life-hr-succession-planning-for-your-leaders#) ### GENERAL DISCLAIMER This blog is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and cannot constitute legal advice, because the authors are not licensed attorneys. Readers should not rely or act upon any information presented on this blog without seeking professional legal counsel. The views expressed in each post are those of the author, and the author alone; they are not the views of Ahola. The information provided in this blog is general, and based on information available as of the date of publishing. Information herein is provided on an “as is” or “as available” basis; we make no warranty of any kind to you regarding the information provided and disclaim any liability for damages from use of the blog or its content. Please consult an attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular question or issue. 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