Challenges Faced by Leaders Implementing Succession Planning Initiatives in a Construction Chemicals Company: A Case Study

The study investigated leadership practices in succession planning in organizations by identifying the challenges and emerging strategies for improvement. It investigates (1) the leadership practices used to prepare subordinates for succession, (2) the challenges leaders face in effecting succession planning, and (3) strategies to improve such processes. The study used a qualitative exploratory description approach, whereby in-depth narratives from managers and employees were captured to identify themes and patterns around leadership succession. The findings revealed that leadership practices such as mentorship, training and development, job delegation, and trust-building are critical in preparing future leaders. On the other hand, it can be noted that challenges such as resistance to change, limited resources available for succession planning, and no structured leadership development programs act as deterrents for implementing succession-planning initiatives. The challenges are exacerbated by resistance from employees who have benefited from the organization's legacy and due to insufficient funding for professional development initiatives. This study recommends improvements in succession planning, including formalization of the process, investment in leadership development programs, development of an open and flexible culture in the organization, dedication of resources to leadership training, and engaging employees in succession planning. These strategies are expected to develop a systematic and sustainable approach toward leadership development in organizations to enable them to identify, develop, and retain high-potential leaders.