"There is often a tendency to rush into finding a replacement for a key member of management to make sure the organization does not lose any momentum.  It is a good investment of time, however, to stop and consider the skills you really need in the context of the organization's current and future goals. This is also a fine opportunity to engage both staff and board in a thoughtful and thorough planning process. We found this to be a very valuable process at Court Theatre that aided us in the selection of a new Executive Director and ensured we found the right person for Court at that stage in its growth."

- Lorna Ferguson
Trustee (Past Board Chair), Court Theatre

Have you lost, or are you losing a key staff member? No matter the circumstances, such a loss probably triggering an understandable response - hire someone, as soon as possible.

But the key to a successful leadership transition is to take the time your organization, and your particular situation needs to understand who you are, develop a written plan, organize for interim leadership, and then recruit and hire.  In some cases, taking the necessary steps will require a few weeks; in others, it may be a year before the new leader is in place.  No matter the time involved, the key is to pay attention to the phases of leadership transition.  Skipping any one of the phases increases the risk that the transition will never be fully successful and that the organization will face the same situation in the near future.

A HELPING HAND for Unexpected Leadership Transition provides you with advice and tools to aid you in this sometimes scary, sometimes chaotic, but always exciting time of change.

The advice and worksheets it includes have been created for use by boards of directors, executive committees, transition teams, and search committees of small to midsized arts organizations.

The site includes:

• The Phases of Leadership Transition
  
  
• Keys To Success
  • Talk to Staff
  • Take Your Time
  • Locate the Organization's Basic Documents
  • Recognize and Embrace the Board's New Leadership Role
  • If You Are Facing a Crisis
  • Clarify the Role of a Performance Evaluation
    
    
• Worksheets
  • Organizational Charts
  • Job Descriptions
  • Board Roles and Responsibilities
  • Work Plans and Performance Evaluation
  • Compensation Packages
    
    
• Additional Resources

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