Board evaluations of executive directors (CEOs) are different from all other performance evaluations in an organization. This difference – especially the limited ability of board members to observe the executive – represents many of the primary reasons why 45% of executives have not been reviewed in the previous year according to CompassPoint's "Daring to Lead" 2011 study.
This 2004-2008 series of publications on executive transition management was funded in part by the Casey Foundation and the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund. It features ten reports on topics related to leadership change--using interim directors, "founder's syndrome," how boards can be proactive, and more.
This guide outlines the steps and stages of a well-conducted search for a new CEO or Executive Director, as experienced by BoardWalk Consulting, a national executive search firm that specializes in recruiting CEOs and senior leaders for nonprofits and foundations. (BoardWalk Consulting)
Terry Allebaugh had his "aha" moment when he was away from the office. He was at a workshop on executive transitions presented by the N.C. Center for Nonprofits with support from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC Foundation. He realized he'd fulfilled his work at Housing for New Hope (HNH), which he founded "to prevent and end homelessness one valuable person at a time." After 20 years as executive director, he realized it was time to move aside and let new leadership take the helm. He wasn’t ready to retire, but he was tired of the CEO's administrative responsibilities.
Organizations can adapt this sample policy and process for the board of director's evaluation of the executive director/CEO.
Does your organization have a process for establishing chief executive compensation? The CEO Compensation Checklist from BoardSource outlines 11 key items to consider when creating a compensation plan to help your organization recruit and retain the best possible chief executive.
In Letting Go and Leaving: The Founder's Role in a Successful Transition, executive transition expert Tom Adams shares the story of a successful executive transition and tips for letting go (©2003 Common Ground, North Carolina Center for Nonprofits).
Adapt RoadMap Consulting's "Leadership Transitions Work Plan Example" to get a jump start on the executive transition process and timeline.
Tom Adams with CompassPoint developed this sample job description for an interim executive director that you can adapt for your own purposes.
"Interim Executive Directors: The Power in the Middle" by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund explains the benefits and basics of using an interim executive director in a leadership transition. Interim executive directors are highly skilled managers who temporarily take the helm of an organization, help the board and staff address important systems and capacity issues, and lay the groundwork for the permanent leader’s success.