Succession to the management role

In their practical guide Succession to the Management Role – How to Succeed (2025), Michael M. Meier and Prof. Dr. Tom A. Rüsen examine how family businesses can professionally and sustainably manage leadership transitions across generations. Published by the WIFU Foundation in collaboration with Egon Zehnder, the guide provides a systematic framework that places the family, management team and governance bodies at the center of the succession process.

The publication outlines critical milestones and decision points along the succession path,rom early family planning and the development of NextGen talent to the alignment of management structures and governance oversight. It emphasizes the importance of shared expectations, transparent development plans and well-orchestrated onboarding for new leadership teams. Particular attention is given to challenges such as co-leadership among siblings, conflict resolution strategies and alternative succession paths (Plan B).

With real-world case studies and practical checklists, this guide offers valuable insights into succession as a shared transformation process. It presents succession not as a linear transfer of power, but as a holistic reconfiguration of roles, responsibilities and strategic directio, making it an indispensable resource for entrepreneurial families, advisors and governance bodies alike.