Leadership Development
Succession Planning
In recent years, we have have shared numerous studies, including our own, regarding plans of the region's current nonprofit directors to
retire or leave their positions. While the 2011 findings of the online survey Daring to Lead found a reduction in the number of executives planning to leave within five years (as a result of the recession), the figure of 67% remains a significant and daunting challenge for nonprofits.
The survey asked executives about their career paths, likely tenure, partnership with the board of directors, and the impact of the recession on their organizations. Other significant findings include:
- Almost half of respondents (45%) said their boards had not reviewed their performance within the past year, and only 18% said that their performance review was useful.
- Most respondents—84%—reported negative organizational impact from the recession, with one in five reporting significant negative impact.
- Nearly half of respondents (46%) said their organizations had operating reserves of less than three months of expenses, even though three months is the minimum level of reserves suggested by most experts.
- Executive coaching was ranked highest by respondents as a very
effective professional development strategy, but just 10% of respondents
were working with a coach.
As the baby-boomers continue to depart their leadership roles, there are concrete steps board members can take to ensure organizational continuity before, during and after the transition.
The Nonprofit Center helped the Philadephia Inquirer shine a light on this looming leadership crisis in local nonprofits.; Read this important article >
Opinion
leaders like the Annie E. Casey Foundation are closely examining issues
relating to succession planning and offer useful publications on
related topics. Visit their website to read more >
Contact The Nonprofit Center to find out more about succession planning.
