Unveiling the Path to Finding Visionary Successors: 5 Strategies for Identifying Innovative Candidates to Replace Yourself as CEO
In 2012, Jaclyn Johnson embarked on her journey as the founder of Create & Cultivate, a media company empowering women to thrive in business. By 2018, Johnson had grown her company to include eight employees and received a remarkable $40 million acquisition offer. Unfortunately, the deal fell through when it became apparent that the success of the business relied heavily on Johnson’s involvement. Several years later, Johnson accepted a $22 million acquisition offer, a significant decrease from the initial proposal. This serves as a cautionary tale – if your company becomes overly dependent on you, it may lead to future setbacks. The most valuable companies are those that don’t hinge on the owner’s direct involvement. However, finding exceptional talent to replace oneself can prove to be a daunting task.
The Most Common Pitfall Founders Encounter When Seeking to Replace Themselves
Identifying a general manager, second-in-command, or Chief Operating Officer to take your place is often one of the most challenging endeavors for founders. Regardless of whether you enlist the help of a recruiter, utilize paid advertising, or tap into your personal network to find candidates, conducting a comprehensive background review is an initial step in the candidate selection process. Herein lies a common mistake: being swayed by a Fortune 500 name on a resume or LinkedIn profile. While an association with a large corporation may appear impressive, the skill set highly valued within a Fortune 500 company often differs from what most young companies require. Big corporations typically possess established processes, systems, and hierarchies that have contributed to their success. Individuals thriving in such environments often excel within predetermined frameworks. However, in a younger, more agile startup, where innovation is paramount, no established framework exists, rendering big company veterans ill-equipped to thrive in an entrepreneurial setting. Rather than basing your hiring decisions solely on a prestigious employer name, prioritize individuals who exhibit innovation, comfort in chaotic situations, a bias for action, and a creative and entrepreneurial mindset.
Outlined below are five strategies you can employ to identify innovative candidates during your hiring process:
- Seek out problem-solvers: Innovation frequently stems from creative problem-solving. Look for candidates who have demonstrated the ability to think strategically and develop innovative solutions when faced with challenges in their past experiences.
- Assess their approach to problem-solving: During interviews, inquire about candidates’ problem-solving approach and how they have successfully devised innovative solutions in the past. This will offer insight into their thought processes, risk-taking propensity, and capacity for creative thinking.
- Evaluate their learning agility: Innovative individuals tend to be open to learning and adaptable. Seek candidates with a track record of embracing new challenges and acquiring new skills.
- Analyze their team collaboration skills: Innovation often thrives in a collaborative setting. Look for candidates who have effectively worked in teams before, and ask them about their contributions to team success in their previous roles.
- Consider their creativity: Candidates who possess a creative portfolio or engage in creative pursuits outside of work can demonstrate their potential to bring fresh and inventive ideas to your organization. These indicators can be valuable when evaluating their capacity for innovation.
At present, your company likely relies on your own creativity and innovative thinking. However, if your goal is to replace yourself as the founder, implementing these five strategies will increase your likelihood of identifying candidates who embody an entrepreneurial mindset, bring fresh perspectives, and contribute to a culture of creativity and innovation within your organization.
Contact Investment Business Brokers to learn more about how groom successors and prepare for a management transition for your organization.