Leadership & Management

Succession-Ready Leadership: Developing Your Replacement

Strong leaders build successors as part of their job. This course shows managers how to identify potential successors, design development experiences, delegate stretching responsibilities, coach and sponsor future leaders and prepare a smooth handover, strengthening both the organisation and the leader’s own career mobility.

5 days Classroom or live online English

Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants

Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

Download course PDF

Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Leaders without successors often cannot be promoted themselves. You will learn how to grow capable people who can step into your role.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

Talent assessment exercises, development planning, coaching practice and peer case discussion.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Explain the leader’s role in succession
Assess potential and readiness in team members
Design development plans and stretch assignments
Coach and sponsor potential successors
Transfer knowledge and relationships
Plan a smooth leadership handover

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

Managers and senior leaders
Department heads
Family business leaders
HR and talent professionals
Leaders preparing for promotion

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Talent assessment
Development planning
Coaching
Knowledge transfer
Sponsorship

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Why Succession Matters

09:00–10:08Risks of no successor
10:08–11:00Leader’s role in talent
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Leader’s role in talent (continued)
11:45–12:53Personal succession check
12:53–14:00Exercise: critical role analysis

Day 2Identifying Successors

09:00–10:08Performance versus potential
10:08–11:00Readiness assessment
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Readiness assessment (continued)
11:45–12:53Avoiding bias
12:53–14:00Workshop: talent review

Day 3Developing Successors

09:00–10:0870-20-10 development
10:08–11:00Stretch assignments
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Stretch assignments (continued)
11:45–12:53Exposure and networks
12:53–14:00Development plan design

Day 4Coaching and Sponsorship

09:00–10:08Coaching for readiness
10:08–11:00Sponsorship and visibility
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Sponsorship and visibility (continued)
11:45–12:53Feedback
12:53–14:00Practice session

Day 5Handing Over

09:00–10:08Knowledge transfer methods
10:08–11:00Relationship handover
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Relationship handover (continued)
11:45–12:53Transition plans
12:53–14:00Personal action plan

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon UK certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon UK programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

Keep exploring

Your next horizon awaits.

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The full course agenda and dates are available above. Use the session links in Dates & venues to choose a session. Registration and quotation forms require JavaScript; you can also contact our learning team directly.