Initial Questions To Consider  

Two major tasks of the founder in a Mutual Success transition are to let go of old roles and to strengthen (and not undermine) the successor.

Before deciding to entertain or propose a Mutual Success transition, founders, potential successors, and boards of directors need to ask themselves some very tough questions of the founder.  They must answer them with integrity to see if the founder has the personality characteristics that help accomplish these tasks and contribute to a mutually successful transition.

For Founders

• When in the past have you demonstrated the personal characteristics and self-discipline needed to successfully remain in your organization when you are no longer the top dog?

• What would it take for you to tolerate the marginalization, loss of centrality and influence, and feelings of isolation that often comes with the territory?

• Have you built a life outside your organization that can be a focus for your leadership and personal energies if this transition does not work out?

• Have you ever demonstrated the ability to delegate or divest yourself of significant power, authority and control?  How did that go for you and others?

• Have you built an organization that encourages leadership at multiple levels and where you are not central to all important activities and decisions?

• Is your board engaged and strong enough that they would tell you "no" if they think some of your desires for your transition are unreasonable?  How have you responded when your board has set limits or said "no" to you?

• Can this organization survive, and possibly even do better with you completely out of the picture?

• When was the last time you voluntarily made an enormous change in an important part of your life?  How did it go?  What kinds of supports were you able to call on to help you through it?

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Success Factors To Review

Table for Two found that to have a Mutual Success transition that truly benefits the organization, the founder, successor, and organization each needed to possess particular characteristics that helped and did not inhibit the success of the transition.  Read below to learn about what a founder needs.




Download the report to help you explore these key questions and characteristics and deepen your understanding of how other organizations have implemented this model.