CEO Transitions

How to start well and perform quickly as a new CEO—whether it’s your first, second, or third time.

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CEO TRANSITION SUCCESS HOW WE HELP TESTIMONIALS THE NEW CEO BOOK

1.6 years

The reduction in CEO tenure globally between 2018 and 2022

_{Source: RRA CEO Turnover Index}

It’s never easy being a new CEO. The pressure to perform and the risk of failure are unparalleled.

But your odds for success can be significantly improved with a comprehensive CEO transition advisory program.

We help you navigate your first year in role, so you start well and perform quickly—minus the common mistakes.

SPEAK WITH US ABOUT YOUR LEADERSHIP TRANSITION

CEO transition success

Whether you are a first-time CEO, or a seasoned one, successful CEO transitions come down to 10 key factors. Leading CEOs carefully address each of these areas to maximize performance in their first year—and beyond.

CEO Transition Success chart

How we help new CEOs

Our CEO Transition Advisory Program helps your navigate your first 12-18 months as CEO, through personalized coaching, stakeholder interviews, challenge sessions, and ecosystem surveys.

Decisions

Optimize strategic and tactical decision- making for impact and performance. Adopt conscious decision-making styles and methods.

Events

Prepare for in-the-spotlight moments e.g. board meetings, media briefings, results presentations, and external forums.

Situations

Navigate unplanned or evolving situations e.g. relationship conflicts, decisions that fail, and things that don’t go according to plan.

Relationships

Prioritize and deliberately plan for successful and sustainable relationships with key internal / external stakeholders.

The benefits of RRA’s CEO Transition Program

	Customized program Tailored to your personal goals and organizational context.
	Structured syllabus Proven, evidence-based models, methodologies, and advice.
	Trusted advice Confidential in-person advice and unlimited 24/7 ‘at-call’ support.

What CEOs say about RRA’s CEO Transition Program

“RRA helped me slow down, so I didn’t leave people behind. We had some high-stakes moments—the advice I received was invaluable through those times.”

First-time CEO, Retail

“The coaching was outstanding, helping me through a very challenging and high-profile HR crisis early on. The advice was always well reasoned and very astute.”

First-time CEO, Entertainment

“I knew this would be useful, but I didn't realize how amazingly useful. There's no way I'd have been as impactful, so fast, without working with RRA.”

First-time CEO, Hospitality (PE)

“The program provided a ‘safe zone’ for me to discuss my relationships with the board and the senior team. Stakeholder feedback also helped me understand how I was being perceived.”

Fourth-time CEO, Energy

“RRA talked to the board and my top team and got feedback that was more candid and useful than if I had asked myself. It helped me negotiate what has been quite a low-trust environment.”

Second-time CEO, Financial Services

Connect with our CEO Transition experts

Ty Wiggins
CEO and Executive Transition Practice Lead

Ty Wiggins is a leadership expert who is passionate about setting up new CEOs for success. As the lead of Russell Reynolds Associates’ CEO & Transitions Practice globally, he helps world-leading CEOs successfully transition into their roles to unlock business (and personal) success—faster.

Ty is one of only a handful of people globally with a Ph.D. in leadership transitions. He harnesses his deep academic and consulting background to provide CEOs, boards, and senior leadership across industries with the advice, support and insight needed to land well and perform quickly.

SPEAK TO TY ABOUT YOUR LEADERSHIP TRANSITION