🚨 Succession Planning Success Story: The Email That Made Me Cheer

Bill takes bold steps to finish well—passing the torch, not just the tasks.

“I don’t want to be the elephant blocking a doorway.”— Bill, a reader who’s rewriting the “aging founder” script

When Bill sent this response to my “Elephant #1: The Fear of Finishing” post, I wanted to high-five my screen. Here’s why:

Bill’s battling the #1 reason 70% of businesses fail to transition (Harvard Business Review): Fear of letting go. But he’s doing it boldly, and relationally.

Bill’s Blueprint for Beating the “Fear of Finishing” Elephant

1. “I don’t want to quit… but I trust my son Dale to tell me when it’s time”

   → Step 1: Confront Your Fears ✅

   Bill admits he loves his work but acknowledges mortality. No denial. No ego.

2. “All my work passes through my son Dale’s eyes first”

   → Step 5: Develop Leaders✅

   He’s not just delegating tasks—he’s building a successor who shares his standards.

3. “I’m trusting Dale to ensure I’m not a burden”

   → Step 7: Finish Well ✅

   Bill’s prioritizing legacy over control. As I write in Succession Planning for Impact:

   “Your business isn’t a trophy—it’s a torch. Pass it before life forces your hand.”

3 Takeaways from Bill’s Playbook

1. Start BEFORE You’re Ready

   “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time? NOW.”

2. Make “Accountability” Your Superpower

   Bill didn’t wait for decline—he built checks/balances while thriving.

3. Reframe “Finishing” as Multiplying

Your Next Step (No Nails Required)

Bill’s wisdom proves: Clarity comes before breakthrough.

👉Download my free guide “Jumpstart Succession Planning With 7 Strategic Conversations” to:

• Identify your “Dale” (potential successor)

• Create a Bill-worthy accountability system

• Avoid becoming the elephant in your boardroom

GRAB YOUR FREE GUIDE HERE

P.S. Like Bill, join our Breakthrough Mastermind to get “hot seat” coaching and turn fears into action. Your legacy deserves more than rusty nails and regret.