In a well-managed organization, replacements for executives who leave are chosen through leadership succession, the process of identifying and grooming people to replace managers. Succession planning is vital to the long-term health of an organization, and therefore an important responsibility of senior leadership. Before a key person leaves, planning is done in an orderly way over time.

Succession planning is linked to leadership development in two important ways. First, being groomed as a successor is part of leadership development. Second, the process of choosing and fostering a successor is part of a manager’s own development. Understanding these factors should lead to more success in new appointments to leadership positions.