Succession and the 2024 Olympics as an Example

Succession in any job role should be looked at like the USA Team in the Mixed 4x400 Relay Race at the 2024 Olympics. This is especially true for ownership transitions for construction contractors. Learn more about this 4-step process.

D. Brown Management Profile Picture
Share

 

 

There is incredible inspiration and lessons to be learned from how this team set a world record. It's very likely that you've seen this already, but take five minutes to watch it while looking at all the details. Consider your own succession readiness at all levels and this 4-Step Process:

  1. Leave your successor with a solid lead. Whether it is in parenting, projects, or companies, few things set up the next generation for success better than leaving them with a solid lead.
  2. Select and prepare your successor. You should be preparing several people as they will be needed for growth and there is always a chance that one may fall through for a variety of reasons. 
  3. Plan and practice for a great hand-off. The best plan in the world is practically useless if there isn't regular practice. Deliberately train for and delegate specific tasks and decisions so you can provide feedback. Intentionally leave for a period of time starting with days and extending to weeks where they can experience the role. Be sure to provide feedback.
  4. Accelerate the lead you were left with. This is the most important thing and ties back to #1. Don't rest on the lead you were given. This is especially true in ownership transitions as each generation must achieve a level of growth to both pay off the prior owners and generate value for themselves and their team. 

 

 

Learn More

Mastering the planning and management of job role transitions will set your career and company apart. Whether it is transitioning from a craft to a Foreman role or succession at the ownership level, all job role transitions in the construction industry are challenging.

Careers, compensation, customers, projects, profits, and entire construction businesses are all impacted negatively when job role transitions are poorly planned and managed. Almost 3 hours of practical examples, including 25+ additional resources (tools, books, training, and articles) to keep your career and company growing.

 Access the additional resources and books referenced: 004 - Job Role Transitions in Construction (Intro)


 

One of our favorite things to do is help contractors prepare their teams for succession at all levels including ownership transitions and life after construction. Please contact us if you want to talk about the specifics of your career and company. 



Related Training

TOOL: Leader Standard Work (LSW) Template for Field Managers
Excel format that you can use to standardize work across your field managers and synchronize that work internally and externally for optimal effectiveness. This tool will help develop your team faster and deliver projects more consistently.
Succession Planning at All Levels
If a construction company is growing at 15% per year, then it will double in size about every five years. Therefore, in general, every position must be training at least two people that will be capable of succeeding them within five years.
Effective Job Role Descriptions for Organizing, Recruiting, Developing, and Retaining Talent
Clarity in job role descriptions is a foundational building block for successful careers and contracting businesses.