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SUCCESSION PARADOX SERIES

Decoding the Hidden Challenges of CEO Succession—A Journey Through Power, Legacy, and Leadership

CEO succession is more than a process—it’s a paradox. Despite decades of research and best practices, boards and executives continue to struggle with one of their most critical responsibilities. Lyceum’s Succession Paradox Series reveals the hidden forces that make CEO transitions so complex—psychological reluctance, irrational decisions, power struggles, and structural weaknesses that impede corporate leadership transitions.

Through real-world case studies—including legendary corporate battles and overlooked cautionary tales—the series exposes the fault lines that boards and executives must navigate to secure the future of their organizations. Each installment peels back another layer, offering sharp insights, provocations, and practical solutions to challenge conventional wisdom and ensure better outcomes.

Explore the series, engage with the ideas, and join the Lyceum Circle of Leaders for exclusive discussions on transforming leadership transitions into a competitive advantage.

SUCCESSION PARADOX SERIES

Decoding the Hidden Challenges of CEO Succession—A Journey Through Power, Legacy, and Leadership

CEO succession is more than a process—it’s a paradox. Despite decades of research and best practices, boards and executives continue to struggle with one of their most critical responsibilities. Lyceum’s Succession Paradox Series reveals the hidden forces that make CEO transitions so complex—psychological reluctance, irrational decisions, power struggles, and structural weaknesses that impede corporate leadership transitions.

Through real-world case studies—including legendary corporate battles and overlooked cautionary tales—the series exposes the fault lines that boards and executives must navigate to secure the future of their organizations. Each installment peels back another layer, offering sharp insights, provocations, and practical solutions to challenge conventional wisdom and ensure better outcomes.

Explore the problems, the solutions, and engage with the ideas through the installments below. Join the Lyceum Circle of Leaders for even deeper exclusive discussions on transforming leadership transitions into a competitive advantage.

Installments that Define the Problem

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ArticleDefining the problemSuccession Paradox

Navigating the Succession Paradox: 50 Years of Advice, But Why Do the Same Mistakes Persist?

October 25, 2024
This is the first installment of the succession planning paradox—while it’s universally acknowledged as essential for organizational stability and stakeholder confidence, it is frequently mishandled or resisted by those very leaders and boards tasked with ensuring its success. Here’s why succession planning holds this paradoxical nature:
ArticleDefining the problemSuccession Paradox

Navigating the Succession Paradox: The CEO as Creator – More Artist than Strategist

November 1, 2024
This is the second installment in Lyceum’s ongoing Navigating the Succession Paradox series.
ArticleDefining the problemSuccession Paradox

Navigating the Succession Paradox: The Chairman of the Board’s Role – The Exercise of Leadership and Power

November 10, 2024
This third article in Lyceum’s ongoing Navigating the Succession Paradox series explores the Chairman’s critical role in the CEO succession process.
ArticleDefining the problemSuccession Paradox

Navigating the Succession Paradox: The Board of Director’s Role – Lessons from ITT’s Rise and the Post-Geneen Struggles

November 22, 2024
This fourth installment in Lyceum’s Navigating the Succession Paradox series examines the board's responsibility in CEO succession, reframing it not as a procedural obligation but as an opportunity to address the human dynamics that often undermine transitions.
ArticleDefining the problemSuccession Paradox

Navigating the Succession Paradox: An External Reaction

December 6, 2024
This fifth installment of Lyceum’s Navigating the Succession Paradox series spotlights the external vulnerabilities triggered by CEO succession, examining how even well-prepared organizations can face existential crises during leadership transitions.

Installments that Offer the Solution

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ArticleSuccession ParadoxThe solution

Solving the Succession Paradox Series: The Power of Executive Assessment and Development

January 31, 2025
The best succession plans start years in advance - most companies wait too long to address succession planning.

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