Changing of the Guards

Changing of the guards may either be smooth or leads to a power struggle. This happens in political parties in many countries around the world. But other organizations are not exempted including big companies. And it happens even in charitable organizations.

For example, there was a power struggle at Viacom (USA) when Redstone retired from the media business. The fight for money, power and love from Redstone was between Redstone's estranged daughter Shari and Philippe Dauman, the chief executive of Viacom.

Also in 2016, leaders at Baldwin & Lyons resigned after power struggle with the Chairman over the direction and business practices of the company..

Closer to home, Tan Sri Pairin Kitingan had handed over the running of the affairs of PBS, a multi-racial political party in Sabah, to Datuk Maximus Ongkili, his deputy. It was said that this was to ensure a smooth leadership transition.

Not very long before this, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok had handed over the Presidency of UPKO to Datuk Madius Tangau. UPKO draws its membership from the Kadazan-Dusun and Murut communities. Dompok is now the Malaysian ambassador to the Vatican.

It is said that leaders come and go. Good leaders are hard to come by. When a strong leader leaves, very often it is not easy to find one that can fill his shoes. They may be too big for the successors. Continuity and performance may suffer as a result. On the other hand, when a bad leader is forced to leave, there are worries whether the successor can do a good job and fast.

Can it be said that finding a capable successor is due more to good luck than good decision?

It may be easier to find a successor in the case of a business entity than that of a political party. However, a business organization may decide to find a replacement from outside the company whereas there may be suitable people from inside the organization. Some refer to this as 'overdoing' the succession planning.

In the case of finding a new political leader, the party constitution may provide that it is the deputy that will be successor. There may be a power struggle if the leader will automatically become the leader of the nation. In the United States, there is a struggle between contenders for the position of party's nominee for President. It can be brutal and divisive.

Leaders have to go sooner or later. Poor choice of a successor will have repercussions that can reverberate through the years. During these turbulent times, it is not easy to find a leader having all the necessary qualities.