Chapter 1
From Checkers to 3-D Chess
“Business is a highly-charged and ever-changing environment. Businesses strive to evolve so they can maintain their fitness to compete. CEO succession has to start with, and run in parallel to, the incumbent's role if a business is to have any hope of keeping up momentum. Missing this nuance means it is doomed to making transitional decisions that could have a negative impact on the future.”
—James P. Hackett, CEO and president of Steelcase, Inc.
It is very difficult for a leader—any leader—to step down and hand over the reins of their company to someone else. Human nature being what it is, power is a most difficult force to surrender to another. Those who aspire to positions of leadership are ambitious, ...
