Succession planning protects your organization by assuring a smooth transition from one leader to the next. ... To climb the career ladder, there's no better recommendation than preparing your organization by having a successor in place.

Why is it important to find a successor?

By carefully developing your successor from inside the company, you can dramatically increase the probability of a positive transition and a successful future. When developing your successor, remember that a senior-level executive — especially the CEO — transition process is extremely personal.

How do you prepare successors?