Leadership succession can destabilize a nonprofit even when the transition is planned. An executive director, operations leader or program vice president may leave behind formal documents, but much of the organization’s practical knowledge may still live in personal...
An experienced nonprofit employee rarely leaves behind only an empty position. They may take years of unwritten knowledge with them: Why a certain process exists Which annual deadlines are easy to miss How unusual situations are handled Who must be consulted before a...
Many nonprofits depend on their executive director for far more than leadership. The executive director may also be the person who knows: Why a policy was created Which funder allows an exception Who owns a community relationship What the board decided several years...
