notes that every CEO is an interim CEO and it's best to avoid buses and boredom. And this reminder: click here to download free resources from the
pick.
Every CEO Is an Interim CEO
Hot-off-the internet from ECFA is a jam-packed tool on succession planning—and it’s free to ECFA-Accredited Members (and just $69 for others).
Click here for:
ECFA Governance Toolbox Series No. 4: Succession Planning
11 Principles for Successful Successions
“Every CEO is an Interim CEO”
Stream the four short videos at your board meetings (or a board retreat) and download copies of the 20-page
Read-and-Engage Viewing Guide. The 10-page
Facilitator Guide provides three discussion options (based on available time). The guide also directs leaders to a webpage with a robust list of books, articles, templates, and other resources.
One of the resource books mentioned, by William Vanderbloemen and Warren Bird, note that with the right theology, ministers will understand that “every pastor is an interim pastor.” (Ditto every CEO.) In their book,
NEXT: Pastoral Succession That Works, they write:
“Few ministers consider that truth. Few are eager to admit that their time with their present church will one day end. But ultimately, all pastors are ‘interim’ because the day when a successor takes over will come for everyone in ministry.
Planning for that day of succession may be the biggest leadership task a leader and church will ever face. It may also be the most important.”
The toolbox (fourth in the series from ECFA), delivers practical insights and next steps for these 11 critical principles:VIDEO #1: AVOID BUSES AND BOREDOM!Principle 1: Avoid Buses and Boredom!
VIDEO #2: STARTING SUCCESSION ON THE RIGHT FOOTPrinciple 2: Discern Your Board’s Succession Values and Beliefs
Principle 3: Inspire Your CEO to Thrive With a God-Honoring Lifestyle
Principle 4: Model Successful Succession in the Boardroom First
VIDEO #3: PRAY AND PLAN NOW!Principle 5: Delegate Succession Planning to the Appropriate Committee
Principle 6: Invest in Growing Your Leaders (Every Leaders Needs a Coach)
Principle 7: Trust God and Discern Direction! Wisdom on Ending Well
VIDEO #4: EVERY CEO IS AN INTERIM CEOPrinciple 8: Plan for Plan A—Your CEO Retires
Principle 9: Plan for Plan B—Your CEO Resigns
Principle 10: Plan for Plan C—Your CEO Is Terminated
Bonus Principle 11: Discern If a Search Firm Would Be Helpful
Vanderbloemen and Bird also caution that one size doesn’t fit all. “
As the variety of successions in Scripture illustrate, our universal recommendation about succession is that there is no universal recommendation. Healthy succession is more art than science. The plan and details must be tailored to each situation. It is also a deeply spiritual process that calls for prayer and recognition of God’s leading.”
For more resources, follow along on the 11-part blog series on the toolbox, especially
Part 1 here,
“Succession Planning: My Heart Had Left the Building,” with insights from Hans Finzel’s important book,
The Power of Passion in Leadership.
Want to avoid a chaotic transition? You should also read
Chief Executive Succession Planning: Essential Guidance for Boards and CEOs, by Nancy R. Axelrod (from BoardSource):
“
It might be tomorrow; it might be 10 years from now. But someday, your chief executive is going to leave your organization. Is there a well-thought-out plan in place? Can you expect a smooth transition? If not, his or her departure could trigger a chaotic situation that reduces your organization's effectiveness and panics key stakeholders.”
“Principle 6: Invest in Growing Your Leaders (Every Leader Needs a Coach),” includes this poke-in-the-ribs:CFO to CEO: “What happens if we invest in developing our people and then they leave us?
CEO: “What happens if we don’t, and they stay?”Visit ECFA to order:
ECFA Governance Toolbox Series: Succession Planning – 11 Principles for Successful Successions: “Every CEO is an Interim CEO.” (Note: It was my privilege to write this toolbox and it was personally helpful to me as I've helped clients with their CEO transitions.)
To order from Amazon, click on the title for
NEXT: Pastoral Succession That Works, by William Vanderbloemen and Warren Bird.
To order from BoardSource (print or PDF), click on the title for
Chief Executive Succession Planning: Essential Guidance for Boards and CEOs (Second Edition), by Nancy R. Axelrod (available from BoardSource).
Your Weekly Staff Meeting Questions:
1) The authors of Boards That Lead recommend that boards ask their new CEOs to draft a succession plan immediately—and that the CEO’s annual performance review should measure progress on the plan. How’s your plan?
2) “What if…your CEO is hit by a bus and dies?” Screen Video #1 of 4 in the ECFA Governance Toolbox Series No. 4—and then address your preparedness for your CEO’s death or incapacitation. Are you prepared?
Leaders Are Readers!
Insights from Mastering the Management Buckets Workbook
[2026 UPDATE] The updated list of more than 650 books and resources (List #1), categorized within the 20 management buckets (core competencies) is posted here in the Book Bucket. There are four lists.
Download these PDFs with listings of books and authors featured in Your Weekly Staff Meeting eNews:
• List #1: Books by Management Buckets Categories (thru 12/31/25)
• List #2: Chronological List of 668 Issues of Your Weekly Staff Meeting - (thru 12/31/25)
• List #3: John Pearson's Top-100 Books (as of 12/31/2022—updated occasionally)
• List #4: Mastering 100 Must-Read Books List (as of 9/14/2022)
For more resources order Mastering the Management Buckets Workbook: Management Tools, Templates, and Tips From John Pearson, with commentary by Jason Pearson. Visit John's Books here.
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