Succession Planning

1. Succession Planning Every day of our lives, in some way or another, we experience the opportunity to lead or to follow. In order for each of us to be successful in our professional and personal lives, it is essential that we are able to recognize the qualities of a good leader to be an active contributing member of the team, and to know when to lead and when to follow. Succession planning is a process to help define who our future leaders are and how to help them reach their fullest potential, through leadership training, succession planning and mentoring, which will help us establish a solid leadership foundation for the future.Every day of our lives, in some way or another, we experience the opportunity to lead or to follow. In order for each of us to be successful in our professional and personal lives, it is essential that we are able to recognize the qualities of a good leader to be an active contributing member of the team, and to know when to lead and when to follow. Succession planning is a process to help define who our future leaders are and how to help them reach their fullest potential, through leadership training, succession planning and mentoring, which will help us establish a solid leadership foundation for the future.

2. Succession Planning Why is succession planning important? Why is succession planning important? Succession planning allows us to move away from the reactive process of pleading with individuals to fill officer and committee chair positions to the proactive system of locating the right individuals to fill those roles. In his book, Good to Great, Jim Collins noted that the characteristic of a great leader is one who sets the company up to succeed after he or she is gone. As leaders of our association, we need to set up our members -- along with chapter, division and international leaders -- to succeed after we are gone. But before we can talk about succession planning � we need to talk a little bit about leadership. Because developing good leadership skills allows us to be more effective in setting the stage for good succession planning.Why is succession planning important? Succession planning allows us to move away from the reactive process of pleading with individuals to fill officer and committee chair positions to the proactive system of locating the right individuals to fill those roles. In his book, Good to Great, Jim Collins noted that the characteristic of a great leader is one who sets the company up to succeed after he or she is gone. As leaders of our association, we need to set up our members -- along with chapter, division and international leaders -- to succeed after we are gone. But before we can talk about succession planning � we need to talk a little bit about leadership. Because developing good leadership skills allows us to be more effective in setting the stage for good succession planning.

3. Indispensable Qualities of a Leader Character Charisma Commitment Communication Competence Courage Discernment Focus Generosity Initiative Listening Passion Positive Attitude Problem Solving Relationships Responsibility Security Self-Discipline Servanthood Teachability Vision Noted author, James C. Maxwell has a book entitled, The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader: Becoming the Person Others Will Want to Follow. This is a terrific book because the chapters are short and easy to read and it included short stories that highlight each characteristic and things individuals can do to cultivate those qualities. The 21 characteristics are on the screen � however, because of the limited time we have today, we�re only going to highlight a few of them.Noted author, James C. Maxwell has a book entitled, The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader: Becoming the Person Others Will Want to Follow. This is a terrific book because the chapters are short and easy to read and it included short stories that highlight each characteristic and things individuals can do to cultivate those qualities. The 21 characteristics are on the screen � however, because of the limited time we have today, we�re only going to highlight a few of them.

4. Indispensable Qualities of a Leader Charisma � The first impressions can seal the deal CHARISMA � Most people think of charisma as something mystical, almost indefinable, and they think it�s a quality that comes at birth or not at all. Charisma, though, is the ability to draw people to you. And like other character traits, it can be developed. To do that, you need to personify the following: Love life � people enjoy leaders who enjoy life. Put a �10� on every person�s head. One of the best things you can do for people is to expect the best of them. If you appreciate others � encourage them and help them reach their potential and they will love you for it. Give people hope � if you can give a person hope, they will be forever grateful. Share yourself � people love leaders who share themselves and their life journeys. Share your personal journey with them�including your resources�to help them grow personally and professionally. CHARISMA � Most people think of charisma as something mystical, almost indefinable, and they think it�s a quality that comes at birth or not at all. Charisma, though, is the ability to draw people to you. And like other character traits, it can be developed. To do that, you need to personify the following: Love life � people enjoy leaders who enjoy life. Put a �10� on every person�s head. One of the best things you can do for people is to expect the best of them. If you appreciate others � encourage them and help them reach their potential and they will love you for it. Give people hope � if you can give a person hope, they will be forever grateful. Share yourself � people love leaders who share themselves and their life journeys. Share your personal journey with them�including your resources�to help them grow personally and professionally.

5. Indispensable Qualities of a Leader Commitment � It separates doers from dreamers COMMITMENT � What is commitment? To each person it means something different: To the boxer, it�s getting off the mat one time more than you�ve been knocked down. To the marathon runner, it�s running another 10 miles when your strength is gone. To the soldier, it�s going over the hill, not knowing what�s waiting on the other side. To the missionary, it�s saying good-bye to your own comfort to make life better for others. To the leader, it�s all that and more because everyone you lead is depending on you. If you want to be an effective leader, you have to be committed. True commitment inspires and attracts people. It shows them that you have conviction. They will believe in you only if you believe in your cause. The true nature of commitment involves the following: Commitment starts in the heart � some people want everything to be perfect before they�re willing to commit themselves to anything. But commitment always precedes achievement. If you want to make a difference in OTHER people�s lives as a leader, look into YOUR heart to see if you�re really committed. Commitment is tested by action � it�s one thing to talk about commitment, it�s another to do something about it. The only REAL measure of commitment is action. How are you doing when it comes to following through on your commitments. Commitment opens the door to achievement � as a leader you�ll face plenty of obstacles and opposition � if you don�t already. And there will be times when commitment is the only thing that carries you forward�because the work has to get done.COMMITMENT � What is commitment? To each person it means something different: To the boxer, it�s getting off the mat one time more than you�ve been knocked down. To the marathon runner, it�s running another 10 miles when your strength is gone. To the soldier, it�s going over the hill, not knowing what�s waiting on the other side. To the missionary, it�s saying good-bye to your own comfort to make life better for others. To the leader, it�s all that and more because everyone you lead is depending on you. If you want to be an effective leader, you have to be committed. True commitment inspires and attracts people. It shows them that you have conviction. They will believe in you only if you believe in your cause. The true nature of commitment involves the following: Commitment starts in the heart � some people want everything to be perfect before they�re willing to commit themselves to anything. But commitment always precedes achievement. If you want to make a difference in OTHER people�s lives as a leader, look into YOUR heart to see if you�re really committed. Commitment is tested by action � it�s one thing to talk about commitment, it�s another to do something about it. The only REAL measure of commitment is action. How are you doing when it comes to following through on your commitments. Commitment opens the door to achievement � as a leader you�ll face plenty of obstacles and opposition � if you don�t already. And there will be times when commitment is the only thing that carries you forward�because the work has to get done.

6. Indispensable Qualities of a Leader Communication � Without it you travel alone Developing excellent communication skills is absolutely essential to effective leadership. The leader must be able to share knowledge and ideas to transmit a sense of urgency and enthusiasm to others. -- Gilbert Amelio, President & CEO of National Semiconductor Corp. COMMUNICATION � Gilbert Amelio, President & CEO of National Semiconductor Corporation says: Developing excellent communication skills is absolutely essential to effective leadership. The leader must be able to share knowledge and ideas to transmit a sense of urgency and enthusiasm to others. He goes on to say: If a leader can�t get a message across and clearly motivate others to act on it, then having a message doesn�t even matter. The thing about communication is that people will not follow you if they don�t know what you want or where you are going. You can be a more effective communicator if you follow four basic truths: Simplify your message � communication is not just WHAT you say, it�s also HOW you say it. If you want to connect with people, keep the message simple. People are so busy today, if you try to give them too complex of a message, they just don�t or won�t take the time to figure out the message. If it�s simple and easy to understand, you will get their attention. See the person � effective communicators focus on the people with whom they�re communicating. As you communicate with people � whether individuals or groups � ask yourself these questions: Who is my audience? What are their questions? What needs to be accomplished? How much time do I have? Show the truth � credibility precedes great communication. There are two ways to convey credibility to your audience. First, believe in what you say. Second, live what you say. There is no greater credibility than conviction in action. Seek a response � as you communicate, never forget that the goal of all communication is action. If you dump a bunch of information on people, you�re not communicating. Every time you speak to people, give them something to feel, something to remember, and something to do. If you�re successful in doing that, your ability to lead others will go to a new level. COMMUNICATION � Gilbert Amelio, President & CEO of National Semiconductor Corporation says: Developing excellent communication skills is absolutely essential to effective leadership. The leader must be able to share knowledge and ideas to transmit a sense of urgency and enthusiasm to others. He goes on to say: If a leader can�t get a message across and clearly motivate others to act on it, then having a message doesn�t even matter. The thing about communication is that people will not follow you if they don�t know what you want or where you are going. You can be a more effective communicator if you follow four basic truths: Simplify your message � communication is not just WHAT you say, it�s also HOW you say it. If you want to connect with people, keep the message simple. People are so busy today, if you try to give them too complex of a message, they just don�t or won�t take the time to figure out the message. If it�s simple and easy to understand, you will get their attention. See the person � effective communicators focus on the people with whom they�re communicating. As you communicate with people � whether individuals or groups � ask yourself these questions: Who is my audience? What are their questions? What needs to be accomplished? How much time do I have? Show the truth � credibility precedes great communication. There are two ways to convey credibility to your audience. First, believe in what you say. Second, live what you say. There is no greater credibility than conviction in action. Seek a response � as you communicate, never forget that the goal of all communication is action. If you dump a bunch of information on people, you�re not communicating. Every time you speak to people, give them something to feel, something to remember, and something to do. If you�re successful in doing that, your ability to lead others will go to a new level.

7. Indispensable Qualities of a Leader Competence � If you build it they will come COMPETENCE � We all admire people who display a high level of competence, whether they are precision craftsmen, world-class athletes, or successful business leaders. But the truth is, you don�t have to be Bill Gates or Brett Favre to excel in the area of competence. If you want to cultivate that quality, here�s what you need to do: Show up every day � There�s a saying, �All things come to him who waits.� Unfortunately sometimes it�s just the leftovers from the people who got there first. Responsible people show up when they�re expected. But highly competent people take it a step farther. They don�t show up in body only. They come ready to play every day � no matter how they feel, what kind of circumstances they face, or how difficult they expect the game to be. Keep improving � all highly competent people continually search for ways to keep learning, growing, and improving. Follow through with excellence � performing at a high level of excellence is always a choice, an act of the will. As leaders, we expect our people to follow through when we hand them the ball. They expect that and a whole lot more from us as their leaders. Accomplish more than is expected � highly competent people always go the extra mile. For them, good enough is never good enough. Inspire others � highly competent leaders do more than perform at a high level. They inspire and motivate their people to do the same. COMPETENCE � We all admire people who display a high level of competence, whether they are precision craftsmen, world-class athletes, or successful business leaders. But the truth is, you don�t have to be Bill Gates or Brett Favre to excel in the area of competence. If you want to cultivate that quality, here�s what you need to do: Show up every day � There�s a saying, �All things come to him who waits.� Unfortunately sometimes it�s just the leftovers from the people who got there first. Responsible people show up when they�re expected. But highly competent people take it a step farther. They don�t show up in body only. They come ready to play every day � no matter how they feel, what kind of circumstances they face, or how difficult they expect the game to be. Keep improving � all highly competent people continually search for ways to keep learning, growing, and improving. Follow through with excellence � performing at a high level of excellence is always a choice, an act of the will. As leaders, we expect our people to follow through when we hand them the ball. They expect that and a whole lot more from us as their leaders. Accomplish more than is expected � highly competent people always go the extra mile. For them, good enough is never good enough. Inspire others � highly competent leaders do more than perform at a high level. They inspire and motivate their people to do the same.

8. Indispensable Qualities of a Leader Listening � To connect with their hearts, use your ears Relationships � If you get along, they�ll go along LISTENING � a good leader encourages followers to tell him what he needs to know, not what he wants to hear. There are a lot of voices clamoring out there for your attention. As you think about how to spend your listening time, keep in mind that you have two purposes for listening: to connect with people and to learn. RELATIONSHIPS � the ability to work with people and develop relationships is absolutely indispensable to effective leadership. People truly do want to go along with people they get along with. And while someone can have people skills and not be a good leader, they cannot be a good leader without people skills. So what can a person do to manage and cultivate good relationships as a leader? The first quality of a relational leader is the ability to understand how people think and feel. As you work with others, recognize that all people, whether leaders or followers, have some things in common: They like to feel special, so sincerely compliment them. They want a better tomorrow, so show them hope. They desire direction, so navigate for them. They are selfish, so speak to their needs first. They get low emotionally, encourage them. They want success, so help them win. The second quality is that you have to love people. Leaders have empathy for others and a keen ability to find the best in people�not the worst�by truly caring for others. You cannot be a truly effective leader, the kind the people WANT to follow, unless you love people. The third quality is that you have a desire to help people. People respect a leader who keeps their interests in mind. If your focus is on what you can put into people rather than what you can get out of them, they�ll love and respect you � and this creates a great foundation for building relationships. LISTENING � a good leader encourages followers to tell him what he needs to know, not what he wants to hear. There are a lot of voices clamoring out there for your attention. As you think about how to spend your listening time, keep in mind that you have two purposes for listening: to connect with people and to learn. RELATIONSHIPS � the ability to work with people and develop relationships is absolutely indispensable to effective leadership. People truly do want to go along with people they get along with. And while someone can have people skills and not be a good leader, they cannot be a good leader without people skills. So what can a person do to manage and cultivate good relationships as a leader? The first quality of a relational leader is the ability to understand how people think and feel. As you work with others, recognize that all people, whether leaders or followers, have some things in common: They like to feel special, so sincerely compliment them. They want a better tomorrow, so show them hope. They desire direction, so navigate for them. They are selfish, so speak to their needs first. They get low emotionally, encourage them. They want success, so help them win. The second quality is that you have to love people. Leaders have empathy for others and a keen ability to find the best in people�not the worst�by truly caring for others. You cannot be a truly effective leader, the kind the people WANT to follow, unless you love people. The third quality is that you have a desire to help people. People respect a leader who keeps their interests in mind. If your focus is on what you can put into people rather than what you can get out of them, they�ll love and respect you � and this creates a great foundation for building relationships.

9. Indispensable Qualities of a Leader Teachability � To keep leading, keep learning TEACHABILITY�John Wooden, a Hall of Fame Basketball Coach said, �It�s what you learn after you know it all that counts.� Leaders face the danger of contentment with the status quo. After all, if a leader possesses influence and has achieved a level of respect, why should he keep growing? The answer is simple: Your growth determines who you are. Who you are determines who you attract. Who you attract determines the success of your organization. If you want to grow your organization � and prepare others to follow in your footsteps � YOU have to remain teachable. Teachability requires us to admit we don�t know everything. A lot of learning is an outgrowth of the mistakes we make and what we learn from those mistakes. Or as Teddy Roosevelt said, �He who makes no mistakes, makes no progress.� So try something new. Go out of your way each day to do something different that will stretch you mentally, emotionally, or physically. Challenges change us for the better. TEACHABILITY�John Wooden, a Hall of Fame Basketball Coach said, �It�s what you learn after you know it all that counts.� Leaders face the danger of contentment with the status quo. After all, if a leader possesses influence and has achieved a level of respect, why should he keep growing? The answer is simple: Your growth determines who you are. Who you are determines who you attract. Who you attract determines the success of your organization. If you want to grow your organization � and prepare others to follow in your footsteps � YOU have to remain teachable. Teachability requires us to admit we don�t know everything. A lot of learning is an outgrowth of the mistakes we make and what we learn from those mistakes. Or as Teddy Roosevelt said, �He who makes no mistakes, makes no progress.� So try something new. Go out of your way each day to do something different that will stretch you mentally, emotionally, or physically. Challenges change us for the better.

10. Qualities Leaders Possess Positive Role models Sensitive and caring Mentors Simplify bureaucracy (KIS) Accept challenges for the future While we�ve talked about seven of the 21 qualities Maxwell discusses in his book, I would strongly encourage you to get this small book and read through the rest. I think it is a valuable book for leaders and non-leaders in terms of how to live your life. OK�we�ve talked generally about leadership � but what about leadership in IAAP? The qualities that leaders possess in IAAP are: Being positive Serving as a role model Someone who is sensitive and caring Willing to mentor Simplifying the bureaucracy � keeping it simple so others will want to follow Accepting challenges for the future While we�ve talked about seven of the 21 qualities Maxwell discusses in his book, I would strongly encourage you to get this small book and read through the rest. I think it is a valuable book for leaders and non-leaders in terms of how to live your life. OK�we�ve talked generally about leadership � but what about leadership in IAAP? The qualities that leaders possess in IAAP are: Being positive Serving as a role model Someone who is sensitive and caring Willing to mentor Simplifying the bureaucracy � keeping it simple so others will want to follow Accepting challenges for the future

11. Leaders Make it Happen An effective leader: Is alive with spirit/enthusiasm Has passion during the time in office Makes the meetings useful, timely, and educational Asks the members what they want/need/expect from the Chapter Meets the needs of the members Sets an example that others may choose to follow An effective leader: Is alive with spirit/enthusiasm Has passion during the time in office Makes the meetings useful, timely, and educational Asks the members what they want/need/expect from the Chapter Meets the needs of the members Sets an example that others may choose to follow By displaying all of these qualities you are setting an example and being a role model for those who will be future leaders � an important part of succession planning.An effective leader: Is alive with spirit/enthusiasm Has passion during the time in office Makes the meetings useful, timely, and educational Asks the members what they want/need/expect from the Chapter Meets the needs of the members Sets an example that others may choose to follow By displaying all of these qualities you are setting an example and being a role model for those who will be future leaders � an important part of succession planning.

12. Leaders Are Visionaries Adapt your leadership skills to the path of the future Recognize need for effective succession planning through: Encouragement Education Sharing of knowledge Leaders are visionaries and you need to adapt your leadership skills to the path of the future. Being president on the International Board, or at any level, cannot just be about that individual, it has to be about the whole team. At every level in the association, there have been challenges because some presidents have been better than others in helping those following them to understand the job and mentor them to take on the roles and responsibilities. Recognize need for effective succession planning through: Encouragement Education Sharing of knowledge Keeping your fellow leaders in the dark is not a recipe for success in succession planning because we�re not training future leaders if they don�t have a sense of what happens not only in the president�s role on a day to day basis, but also all of the other roles on the Board. Each member of the team should have a general idea of what everyone else is doing. At every level, opportunities need to be given to individuals � so you have people who will want to serve at the next level because you�ve given them the tools and shown them that it can be done by anyone, as long as they have been given the opportunity to learn and grow. If you�re not providing training to those who are serving with you and they don�t have a chance to see how each position operates �you are setting them up for failure. Leaders are visionaries and you need to adapt your leadership skills to the path of the future. Being president on the International Board, or at any level, cannot just be about that individual, it has to be about the whole team. At every level in the association, there have been challenges because some presidents have been better than others in helping those following them to understand the job and mentor them to take on the roles and responsibilities. Recognize need for effective succession planning through: Encouragement Education Sharing of knowledge Keeping your fellow leaders in the dark is not a recipe for success in succession planning because we�re not training future leaders if they don�t have a sense of what happens not only in the president�s role on a day to day basis, but also all of the other roles on the Board. Each member of the team should have a general idea of what everyone else is doing. At every level, opportunities need to be given to individuals � so you have people who will want to serve at the next level because you�ve given them the tools and shown them that it can be done by anyone, as long as they have been given the opportunity to learn and grow. If you�re not providing training to those who are serving with you and they don�t have a chance to see how each position operates �you are setting them up for failure.

13. Circle of Leadership