Your business’s ability for continuity and value creation significantly relies on its potential to operate effortlessly, even without you there. A culture of dedication across your teams and a mindset aligned with an owner’s is essential to the business’s steady progression.
Instilling an effervescent culture helps inspire this level of commitment within your teams.

A Guided Approach to Building Commitment and Proven Strategies
Let’s take a look at three ways you can embed and promote successor-like efforts within your teams:
Following the Success Story of Gavin Hammar and Sendible
In 2008, Gavin Hammar launched Sendible, an innovative platform for managing various social media accounts. His journey wasn’t smooth, and he overcame many battles, including tough competition and stagnant sales. What is remarkable is how Hammar’s ability to bring his team together during challenging times inspired a spirit of shared commitment.
With the view of themselves as the underdogs, Gavin Hammer and his team applied innovative strategies, grounded the team, and brought about significant growth. These efforts established a healthy, progressive environment that proved proactive in the smooth acquisition of Sendible by ASG in 2021.
The key takeaway is that succession planning can help a company maintain momentum and endure even during challenging times.

Lessons to Learn from Postmark’s Natalie and Chris Nagele on Unique Work Culture
The Nagele duo has demonstrated that authentic employee care and unique work culture are significant in planning a smooth succession.
They introduced a four-day workweek, helping their employees’ all-round productivity levels and commitment towards their work.
Have you considered that succession planning should prioritize identifying key individuals? Foster a conducive, innovative, and supportive environment for successors to flourish.
Natalie and Chris’s commitment to creating and maintaining a positive workspace paid off and displayed consistent growth until their fruitful exit in 2022.
Learn How Josh Davis Grew Speedee Transport Through Gamification
Speedee Transport’s experience has shown that employee commitment improves when competition and openness meet in the workspace. Josh Davis created a public scoreboard that influences employee compensation and creates a competitive culture.
Gamification pushed the growth of Speedee Transport and paved the way for a successful acquisition proposal in 2019. As shown, gamifying key objectives can be a practical succession planning element.
To support the value of your business, align your team’s commitment with your vision. This action nurtures a shared mission and shapes a workplace environment to draw out the best in your employees.
It’s important to cultivate these principles even when planning for succession. Find ways to form successor-like commitment in potential leaders to help reduce business continuity risks.
How to Identify Quality Successors Who Add Value to Your Business
So, how do you point out innovative successors to pick up where you left off and nurture your high standards?
Identify the most suitable candidates and look beyond prominent names on candidate profiles. Don’t be misled by extensive experience within prestigious Fortune 500 companies.
Although these credentials may appear impressive, they rarely mean you are appointing a potentially successful leader, particularly in smaller companies or startups.
A business with an entrepreneurial environment demands more flexibility, creativity, and comfort with chaos. Thus, the critical focus should be on people with an innovative, action-oriented, and entrepreneurial character.

Four Ways to Identify Innovative, Action-Oriented, and Entrepreneurial Successors
Problem-Solving Skills
Think of an innovative person. What comes to mind? Innovative people focus on solutions. Be on the lookout for candidates with strategic thinking who apply new solutions to past challenges.
Agility in Learning
Are the chosen candidates open to learning, adjusting, and progressing? These character traits are vital to innovation. They should have the courage to take risks when faced with new challenges.
Motivation for Collaborative Working
Most developments and innovative ideas are birthed in teams. Candidates must display a history of successfully and harmoniously collaborating with others on projects.
Expression of Creativity
Creativity is a value that infiltrates all areas of life for individuals who see the world through the lens of innovation. Enquire about potential candidates’ personal creative projects or activities to understand their capabilities for innovation within the workspace.
Businesses can mentor innovative successors through leaders being supportive. Encourage a problem-solving mindset, continuous learning, collaborative teamwork, and creativity to guarantee an easy leadership handover.
Keep in mind that the aim is never to create replica leaders but rather to find individuals who come to the team with fresh perspectives. They should be willing to take risks to push the margin and elevate the business using carefully thought-out succession plans.
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