One of the most critical moments in an organization’s life is when its executive director or other top leader steps down.  The choice of a new leader has dramatic and far reaching impact.  No matter the reasons for the transition, successfully navigating the process and setting the stage for future success involves concerted effort from the board, staff, exiting leader, and successor.  

The process often begins with the leader taking a close look at his or her own readiness for the transition — including the legacy he or she wants to leave and any personal or organizational barriers to stepping down.  To address this, the: 

• Organization needs to get very clear and aligned about its core identity and future strategic direction so it can accurately identify the type of knowledge, skills, and qualities the new executive must bring in order to effectively lead the organization.

• Board must often step up in new ways to steward the organization’s mission overall, take responsibility for identifying the right new leader, and move the organization through the transition process.  
  

• Current leader needs to take the time necessary to prepare himself or herself and the organization for the transition, which can take anywhere from about a year to several years. 
  

• Staff need to let go of the former leader, manage the process of change and uncertainty, and make room for the different style and approach of the incoming leader. 
  

• Organization must ensure that it continues to garner the support of its constituents, funders, allies, and the public as the change is made.  

Planning and negotiating this complex and critical process can often benefit from the assistance of an outside consultant.  MAG brings expertise in both traditional as well as in new and innovative models of leadership transitions.


Our services include:

• Coaching for outgoing leaders to prepare for the transition and for incoming leaders to step into their new roles and establish their leadership
• Planning for executive transitions and helping organizations reach clarity about their strategic direction, leadership needs, and a process for negotiating the transition
• Assisting boards as they prepare for and monitor the transition
• Helping staff to work effectively with new leadership
• Assisting organizations in determining  if it makes sense for their founder or long term leader to stay on in some significant capacity after stepping down from the top post — and in the unusual situations where it does, help plan and implement this type of transition

Client Testimony

"MAG is very adept at having people assess their own process and see it with new eyes.  Part of that is asking hard questions – things you’d just as soon not ask.  Our MAG consultant is low key, but not mushy or wishy-washy. The process could have been difficult, and it wasn’t." -Marlene Fried, Civil Liberties and Public Policy Program