CEO Succession: 10 Pitfalls Boards Must Avoid—and the CHRO Practices That Help
Published on: June 17, 2025
Authors: Ani Huang, Anthony J. Nyberg
Topics: Compensation Committee and Board, Corporate Governance, Jobs, Skills and Training, Severance and Change in Control, Shareholder Viewpoints
CEO succession is one of the board’s most sensitive, high-stakes responsibilities.
It’s not just about selecting a new leader—it’s about safeguarding the company’s future, preserving the outgoing CEO’s legacy, aligning diverse stakeholders, and maintaining confidence across the organization and the market.
This joint HR Policy Association and Center for Executive Succession report outlines 10 of the most common challenges boards face in CEO succession—and how a trusted CHRO can help avoid or resolve them.
Based on in-depth interviews with board directors, investors, and succession experts, as well as findings from a national survey of corporate directors, we offer a practical board-centric perspective on strengthening CEO succession with critical CHRO support.
Ani Huang
Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Content Officer, HR Policy Association
Contact Ani Huang LinkedIn
Anthony J. Nyberg
J. Henry Fellers Professor of Management | Faculty Director, Center for Executive Succession
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