Succession planning is a funny thing. All organizations at some point get asked (or sometimes by a Board of Directors, required) to do succession planning and articulate ideas about what would happen if the boss got run over by a bus and there was no time for planning, developing, grooming, etc. It’s never a fulfilling exercise because choices are made, but not really, and no one really knows for sure what would happen, and everyone goes into the exercise thinking that none of this will ever happen anyway. I have never been part of a succession plan that had to be “triggered” because of a disaster or unforeseen change, but I have had friends who have been the executive in charge of the succession plan when the CEO or another top executive has died unexpectedly. What these friends have said is that when the succession plan has to get pulled out and looked at in this circumstance that they wish they would have paid a lot more attention to what was being put on the piece of paper, than they did when it was created. Many times a succession plan becomes a “formality” and we just do it, to do it. It doesn’t have much teeth to it at all. One of the reasons why is because even if the decision is firm as to who the next leader will be, not much effort is put into getting that person ready as if they would have to take over tomorrow. The military actually does do this because they truly do have to have a real plan in place so that someone can take over without hesitation, within battle and never miss a beat. I many times wonder what is our responsibility to other believers within our work organizations and what are we doing to ensure that if we leave the company or something changes that those other people remain strong, courageous and enthused to bring glory to God in their own work? If they are looking to us as role models (someone always is) what are we doing to provide our own succession plan for them? Are we doing the things today that we should to make them stronger and more capable or are we taking for granted that they will always be there, or that we will always be there for them? David says; “Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.” Let’s not wait until we are old and gray or until the time is too late. Let’s find those around us and help them “move up” and be ready for what is to come. That in itself could make all that we do today worthwhile.

Reference: Psalm 71:18 (New Living Testament)