A CEO steps down after a viral scandal, and within 72 hours, a new interim leader is named. While the world focused on the drama, we're focusing on what really matters: how Astronomer's board pulled off one of the fastest leadership transitions we've seen. Nonprofit leaders: this is your wake-up call.
In this episode, Naomi breaks down:
Why internal leadership benches matter more than dream candidate lists
Why speed is more important than perfection during a crisis
How to craft crisis communications that inspire confidence (not chaos)
Why your mission must stay front and center, even in moments of disruption
Whether you're an Executive Director or on a nonprofit board, this is your playbook for succession readiness—before a crisis hits.
Quotes:
"Most nonprofit boards think that succession planning means having a dusty binder somewhere with outdated emergency contacts. But modern crises move at the speed of social media, not board meetings."
"So my question for you is: who is on your current team that could run your organization tomorrow? Not perfectly, not permanently, but competently enough to maintain operations while you figure out the long term. If your answer is nobody, then that's your first succession planning priority."
"You need to craft your messaging around leadership transition around these three points: number one, what happened? Keep it brief. Number two, what you're doing about it. Keep it concrete. And number three, how you're protecting the mission that's forward looking."
"In a world where crises moves at internet speed, your succession planning better be just as fast."
To learn more about Leaving Well, visit https://www.naomihattaway.com/
To support the production of this podcast, peruse my Leaving Well Bookshop or buy me a coffee.
This podcast is produced by Sarah Hartley.
