Preparing Yourself

This is the 2nd in a series of five posts from a book review of Succession: Are You Ready? by Marshall Goldsmith (Harvard Business Press, 2009).

1. Slowing Down: Goldsmith uses the analogy of passing a baton in a relay race in which you the runner (CEO) have to slow down to make a good pass off. Accepting this “slowing down” is much tougher than many of us think. The roar of the crowd, the ability to make choices, to be in charge is heady wine (ego stuff), and some CEOs stay far longer than they should.

2.Letting Go: Like the song says “Breaking up is hard to do,” so is letting go. The wealth, perks, status, and power are alluring even to the most self- aware.