Succession Planning: How to preserve continuity of service, culture, and craft

Taken from April 2024’s edition of PRB Magazine

There’s no single path to leadership succession, and sometimes the right path surfaces organically. That’s the biggest lesson that Dix.Hite + Partners learned: Both in 2009 when its co-founder Chris Hite succeeded then-CEO Jeff Dix, and once again when Kody Smith assumed the role from Hite in 2023. While there may not be a one-size-fits-every business approach to succession, having an identity as an organization with clear goals makes it possible to determine a path forward. Still, defining this path takes time, effort, and years of internal and external discussions. In the interest of smoothing your succession journey, here is some actionable advice.