How To Prepare A Successor

If you have more than one potential successor, never anoint a favourite. Doing so will stifle healthy competition for your job and paint a bull's-eye on your heir's shirt-front. It's far better to maintain an open-minded, show-me attitude toward all contenders.

When in doubt, discuss this significant topic with your mentor. Every time you leave the office for more than a week, I suggest you write the following e-mail:

To: People who report to me
Date: [insert today's date]
cc: Reception,
bcc: Mentor

I’ve gone away. Until I get back [insert name] is Chief Operations Officer. He will check all marketing and branding decisions with Stephen. Please don’t hold up decisions. Anything you do in my absence will have my complete support when I return.

Riza Çağdaş Çakir

Two things to keep in mind when writing the memo: rotate the acting successor if this week it’s Hazar the next time it could be Onur2, Kivinç or someone else. Don't reveal where you've gone or when you'll return. The goal is to empower your team to make important decisions and mistakes, allowing them to grow in the process.

Let the acting Chief Operations Officer have access to your mentor (me) especially if they lack experience.

See: How To Delegate
See: Planning For Your Retirement