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How Boards Botch CEO Succession

April 21, 2016 | Robert Hooijberg, Nancy Lane | Strategy

The strategic importance of CEO succession is indisputable, and the elements of effective succession planning have long been known. So why do many boards plan poorly for CEO succession when the cost of failure is so high? Research finds three key reasons: Hiring criteria are not aligned with strategic needs, boards are reluctant to antagonize the incumbent CEO, and many boards aren't developing the executives below the CEO and top team.

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