Succession Planning: Preparing the Next Generation

Succession Planning is my theme for this newsletter, and the timing couldn’t be better as Turknett Leadership Group (TLG) has initiated its succession plan.

Before becoming President and CEO of TLG in October of 2018, I informed Bob & Lyn Turknett, TLG’s Co-founders, that I would be making a five-year commitment. In an era of “Quiet Quitting” and the “Great Resignation” it seemed most appropriate for me to alert the Founders to my thinking right up front.

Not everyone can set clear expectations like this, but I believe that whenever it’s possible, it’s the right thing to do as it enables leadership to plan accordingly. My experience at the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) was similar, giving them a full year’s notice.

In 2019, I hired Tim Huff as a contractor to be one of our Senior Consultants.?Tim was, at the time, working as a technologist for a major company in the area.?Prior to bringing Tim on board, we had long discussions about his aspirations to lead an all-inclusive leadership development firm like TLG. In 2022, Tim took a significant step when I hired him to become TLG’s Vice President of Leadership Development.?Thus, my succession had begun.

I had the advantage of knowing Tim for over a decade – first meeting when I was the head of TAG.?So, when Tim joined our team, I already knew that he had the requisite skills and the exceptional integrity to take the TLG helm.?The next step was for Bob and Lyn to see what I saw in him.

Tim participated in a series of conversations with Bob and Lyn and took a battery of assessments, similar to what we conduct for outside engagements. They saw what we all saw in Tim,?that he is the person to continue to build TLG with a baseline of following their Leadership Character Model.

Tim has now been appointed President of TLG, and I am now the CEO. This structure will be in place through year-end. At that time, Tim will become the President and CEO. I will remain a minority owner in the company and support Tim on his journey.

Over the next several months, I hope you will all have a chance to reach out to Tim. As for me, I will continue to give my all to TLG while exploring my next thing. And no, I am not retiring. I am too young. That’s my story, and I am sticking to it.

Please join me in welcoming Tim Huff as President.

A Guide to Succession Planning

By Tino Mantella, CEO, TLG

According to a 2021 article in the Harvard Business Review, poor succession planning results in a loss of over $500 billion per year from US companies. This revelation is unsurprising because Turknett Leadership Group (TLG) has consulted with numerous companies ranging from the well-prepared to the nothing-will-happen-anytime-soon...

Succession Planning: What to Consider in 2023 (with Checklist)

By XpertHR

Succession planning prepares a workforce for inevitable departures, retirements and promotions and provides a process through which an employer can identify and develop internal staff with the potential to fill key leadership and other critical roles...

Watch the Fourth and Final Episode of The Leadership Character Series!

What do you think research shows is the single most important trait for a leader to possess? Watch this final video in our Leadership Character Series to learn what 30 years of research tells us employees most want in a leader. It may not be what you think.

Succession Planning

Without the right talent in place to step into key positions when current leaders leave, even the most successful companies can crumble without a concrete succession plan. TLG offers an objective, reliable process which links succession planning with your long-term strategic plan. We help maximize human capital by assessing and developing high potential talent for future leadership needs. If you're ready to start preparing your leadership pipeline or have a key leader stepping down, reach out to us today to learn more about how we can help.

Watch: Episode 5 of Bite-sized Leadership with Tim Huff

Are you someone who struggles to manage distractions when talking to someone? Tim Huff, President of TLG, uses a true story from his days with Disney to share a few tips on how you can manage your distractions and maintain your focus on others. How about you? How are you maintain your focus during conversations?

Subscribe to TLG's YouTube Channel for new episodes and to watch previous ones!