The start of the New Year is a time for envisioning our hopes and dreams for the year ahead. We are also preparing for the future and the excitement of transitions, defined as “passing from one condition, activity, or place to another; the period when this occurs”.
Transitions require preparation — whether they involve leaving the corporate sector for a mission-driven challenge or planning what’s next after being at the helm of an organization.
Our newest program, TransitionWorks, can help organizations and individuals manage the challenges — and opportunities — that accompany change. More information on TranstionWorks can be found in the article, "Transforming a Leadership Legacy".
We encourage you to think creatively and act intentionally in 2007.
With warmest wishes,
Priscilla
Transforming a Leadership Legacy:
The Benefits of Succession Planning
Leadership Recruiters, in partnership with Rosewood Consulting Group and KrasnePlows, has created , a program designed to provide a range of services related to non-profit executive transition including organizational assessment, financial management, executive recruiting, and on-boarding coaching.
The TransitionWorks approach to succession planning is to:
create a comprehensive process for assessing, managing, and developing talent across the organization;
identify the experience and performance issues that will affect the ability of the organization to flourish long-term;
position the organization for change and guarantee the legacy.
When a leadership transition occurs, it offers a natural, although brief, opportunity to shake up the status quo and change it fundamentally. If well planned, this transition can be a unique chance to reset an organization’s rhythms to the requirements of the future.
Is the Cross-Over Worth the Effort?
Many corporate and business executives are now transitioning into professional leadership roles at non-profit organizations. Despite the enthusiasm on both sides, we have found that entering the non-profit sector after a career in business can be a surprisingly challenging journey. It is often a rewarding, although not a seamless, transition.
Based on our extensive experience recruiting “cross-over” executives, we suggest for-profit executives consider a role in the non-profit sector only if they:
are looking to fill a passion,
are willing to "get their hands dirty", and
truly want to make an impact.
Volunteering for a leadership role with a non-profit board is a good way to learn about the challenges and realities of leading such an organization. We recommend that much consideration be given to the reasons for considering a cross-over, as the role of a non-profit executive is a demanding, very public role which requires accommodating multiple stakeholders.
The cross-over is well worth serious consideration from both parties. To ensure success in recruiting executives from the business and corporate sector, it is important that non-profits determine a good cultural fit between the candidate and the organization. A candidate for a non-profit leadership role should indicate a realistic understanding of the non-profit organization’s challenges and resources and must bring transferable competencies and a demonstrated understanding of the non-profit sector through strategic experience in voluntary leadership roles. We recommend coaching during the transitional on-boarding period, which will smooth the integration with board, staff, and stakeholders.
Non-Profit CEO Roundtable
TransitionWorks will kick off the New Year by hosting a monthly Non-Profit CEO Roundtable for selected senior executives.
The Roundtable, which will be presented in conjunction with the Philadelphia Foundation, evolved from our work with senior nonprofit leaders — including extensive interviews and focus groups. We have learned that for many individuals thinking about moving on while leaving a legacy can be a source of anxiety. It can be difficult to talk publicly about succession because it seems to make board, staff, and funders apprehensive. The facilitated Roundtable meetings will provide a confidential setting where individuals can spend uninterrupted time discussing issues and learning about a variety of strategies related to leadership transitions.
The TransitionWorks Non-Profit CEO Roundtable is scheduled to begin in January, 2007, with educational presentations provided by experts in the field of non-profit management and leadership.
Executive Director, Cape May Jazz, Cape May, New Jersey
Chief Operating Officer, Chief Academic Officer, West Oak Lane Charter School, Philadelphia
Director of Program Operations, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition, Philadelphia
Executive Director, The Scattergood Foundation, Southeast Pennsylvania
Director of Finance and Administration, International Women’s Health Coalition, New York, New York
President, Seamen’s Society for Children & Families, Staten Island, New York
Priscilla Rosenwald is the Principal of Leadership Recruiters, an executive search firm providing strategic staffing and leadership development for socially responsible organizations.
