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Leadership & Management

Succession-Ready Leadership: Preparing the Next Generation

Organisations need a strong pipeline of leaders ready to step into critical roles. This course is aimed at leaders responsible for developing successors and at high-potential employees preparing for bigger roles. It covers identifying critical roles, assessing readiness, development through experience, coaching and sponsorship, knowledge transfer and smooth leadership transitions.

5 days Classroom or live online English
Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants
Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

Download course PDF
Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

When key leaders leave without prepared successors, performance and continuity suffer. This course helps you build leadership bench strength and manage transitions confidently.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

  • Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
  • Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
  • Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.
Course methodology

How you will learn.

Participants learn through readiness assessments, development planning workshops, case studies, coaching practice and transition planning exercises.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Identify critical roles and succession risks
  • Assess leadership potential and readiness
  • Design development plans based on experience, exposure and education
  • Coach and sponsor potential successors
  • Transfer critical knowledge and relationships
  • Plan and manage leadership transitions
Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

  • Senior leaders and department heads
  • HR and talent management professionals
  • High-potential managers
  • Family business owners
  • Board members overseeing succession
Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

  • Succession risk assessment
  • Readiness evaluation
  • Leadership development planning
  • Sponsorship
  • Knowledge transfer
  • Transition management
Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Succession and Leadership Pipelines

  1. 09:00–09:54Why succession matters
  2. 09:54–10:48Critical roles and risk
  3. 10:48–11:00Leadership pipeline models
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Leadership pipeline models (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Roles of leaders and HR
  7. 13:06–14:00Exercise: Succession risk map

Day 2Assessing Potential and Readiness

  1. 09:00–09:54Potential versus performance
  2. 09:54–10:48Assessment methods
  3. 10:48–11:00Avoiding bias in talent decisions
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Avoiding bias in talent decisions (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Readiness levels
  7. 13:06–14:00Workshop: Talent review simulation

Day 3Developing Successors

  1. 09:00–09:54The 70-20-10 approach
  2. 09:54–10:48Stretch assignments and rotations
  3. 10:48–11:00Coaching and mentoring successors
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Coaching and mentoring successors (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Sponsorship and visibility
  7. 13:06–14:00Exercise: Individual development plan

Day 4Knowledge Transfer

  1. 09:00–09:54Identifying critical knowledge
  2. 09:54–10:48Methods of knowledge transfer
  3. 10:48–11:00Transferring relationships and networks
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Transferring relationships and networks (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Documentation and shadowing
  7. 13:06–14:00Case study: Retirement of a key expert

Day 5Managing Transitions

  1. 09:00–09:54Planned and emergency succession
  2. 09:54–10:48Onboarding into a new leadership role
  3. 10:48–11:00Supporting the outgoing leader
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Supporting the outgoing leader (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Monitoring succession health
  7. 13:06–14:00Capstone: Succession plan for a critical role

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Istanbul 9 Nov - 13 Nov 2026
Confirmed dates
€2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 9 Nov - 13 Nov 2026
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Amsterdam 23 Nov - 27 Nov 2026
Confirmed dates
€2,540.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 23 Nov - 27 Nov 2026
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Singapore 7 Dec - 11 Dec 2026
Confirmed dates
€2,820.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 7 Dec - 11 Dec 2026
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
London 14 Dec - 18 Dec 2026
Confirmed dates
€2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 14 Dec - 18 Dec 2026
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Rome 4 Jan - 8 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 4 Jan - 8 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Dubai 11 Jan - 15 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
€3,150.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 11 Jan - 15 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Frankfurt 25 Jan - 29 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 25 Jan - 29 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Kuala Lumpur 8 Feb - 12 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 8 Feb - 12 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Paris 22 Feb - 26 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,860.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 22 Feb - 26 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Istanbul 8 Mar - 12 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 8 Mar - 12 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Barcelona 15 Mar - 19 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,840.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 15 Mar - 19 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Amsterdam 22 Mar - 26 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,540.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 22 Mar - 26 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Singapore 12 Apr - 16 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,820.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 12 Apr - 16 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
London 26 Apr - 30 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 26 Apr - 30 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Vienna 3 May - 7 May 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,940.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 3 May - 7 May 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Dubai 10 May - 14 May 2027
Confirmed dates
€3,150.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 10 May - 14 May 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Frankfurt 24 May - 28 May 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 24 May - 28 May 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Kuala Lumpur 14 Jun - 18 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 14 Jun - 18 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Paris 21 Jun - 25 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,860.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 21 Jun - 25 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Cape Town 5 Jul - 9 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,890.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 5 Jul - 9 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Istanbul 12 Jul - 16 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 12 Jul - 16 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Amsterdam 26 Jul - 30 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,540.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 26 Jul - 30 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Singapore 9 Aug - 13 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,820.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 9 Aug - 13 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
London 23 Aug - 27 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 23 Aug - 27 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Cape Town 6 Sept - 10 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,890.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 6 Sept - 10 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Dubai 13 Sept - 17 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
€3,150.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 13 Sept - 17 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Frankfurt 20 Sept - 24 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 20 Sept - 24 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Kuala Lumpur 11 Oct - 15 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 11 Oct - 15 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Paris 25 Oct - 29 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,860.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 25 Oct - 29 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Rome 1 Nov - 5 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 1 Nov - 5 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Istanbul 8 Nov - 12 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 8 Nov - 12 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Amsterdam 22 Nov - 26 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,540.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 22 Nov - 26 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Singapore 6 Dec - 10 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,820.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 6 Dec - 10 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
London 13 Dec - 17 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 13 Dec - 17 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

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