Succeeding at the Top

Chapter 1

Underlying Themes

There are many factors contributing to success or, for that matter, failure in a takeover assignment, and generally speaking, you can never keep them all in mind simultaneously as you navigate your way through an assignment. However, several of these factors bear extra and continued consideration—errors in judgment within these categories will surely lead to failure. These are among the most prominent:

• Certain behaviors, procedures, and considerations increase the odds for success, particularly when they occur at well-timed intervals and in different phases of your early tenure.¹
• Your general attitude toward and feelings about change, your involvement of others, your leadership, and your ability to follow can either ...