Successful Succession

Today's devotional is from The Leadership Walk: Devotions for Leaders of Today and Tomorrow

"Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God" - Psalm 146:3-5.

No matter how great or successful leaders are, the nature of change along with their own limitation and mortality set boundaries for their effectiveness. Business and culture change while new opportunities arise that require that leaders move on or surrender roles to which they have become accustomed. Then there are times when leaders fall ill, are injured, and even encounter the ultimate transition when they pass into God's presence.

Leaders should carry that attitude of urgency in finding and training their replacement in everything they do so that both the work of their business or ministry can continue seamlessly. They should also guard against the attitude that they own their position, beginning to think they will do it forever—when today may be their last day.

LEADERSHIP STEP: Your Step today is to create a sense of urgency in finding and training replacements for who you are and what you do. If you got sick tomorrow (God forbid) and could not work for three months, what would happen in your organization? Who would and could step into your role? If there is no one, then your Step today is to give this some thought and set in motion a contingency plan of what you would do if you had to be gone for three months—or longer.