What I Have Learned Firsthand About Leadership Transition

The Presidential transition turmoil has got me thinking….

What should you consider during a nonprofit leadership transition? I have been on both sides of this question, having transitioned into the executive role and then leaving the organization. It is such a fragile, fraught time and it can also provide an infusion of energy that pushes the mission forward, Here is what I learned about this transition:
*Seek to understand before being understood. Listen carefully to the hopes and expectations of the staff;
*Reflect this learning back to the organization as the start of a future vision;
*Involve your beneficiaries and key stakeholders as advisors and thought partners;
* Find the right stance between stability and growth;
*Over-communicate with honesty and transparency;
* A whole organization vision setting process may be more successful than a top-down approach;
* Respect the legacy of prior leadership and work within the organizational culture;
And finally, participate in a leadership peer group or work with a coach for personal support, doubts, insecurities, and encouragement.
What do you think leaders should consider when they take the reins of an organization?