What Happens When an Organizational Team Loses Its Leadership?

 

By Lisa Copeland, CAPP, PMP, CUFM

Organizational teams can suffer in a number of ways following the loss of well-respected leadership. In organizations where tasks and goals are supported, driven, and appointed from the top down, a missing link in the chain of leadership command can result in negatively impacted productivity. Where several links are missing, the consequences can be devastating to the organization’s financial position as well as the team’s morale.

Emotions sparked within a team, both individually and collectively, following the loss of well-respected leadership are often heightened when there isn’t clear and transparent communication about next steps. How will the team move forward? Who will support the team’s efforts and recognize milestones? Will jobs become threatened? Does anyone really care about the team?

Because the loss of well-respected leaders can throw a real wrench into the works for an organization, a comprehensive succession plan is key. The succession plan is an intentional action by which there is a process in place to promptly and effectively fill a vacancy with a trained,  knowledgeable, and skilled internal candidate, one who has been groomed for such an instance. Promotions not only inspire organizational commitment and respect, promotions bolster employee retention.

Thoughtful and thorough succession planning is key to ensuring organizational leadership continuity which, in turn, contributes to on-going business initiatives, strengthened employee retention, and stronger organizational morale. Succession planning is a must to ensuring a smoother transition following the loss of organizational leadership.

Lisa Copeland, CAPP, PMP, CUFM, is the Business Operations Manager for Old Dominion University. She can be reached at lcopelan@odu.edu.