HR Leaders How to Plan CEO Succession the Right Way
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Apr 29, 2025 In this insightful discussion, Michael Fraccaro, former Chief People Officer at Mastercard, shares his expertise on CEO succession planning and the evolving role of HR leaders. He emphasizes the importance of balancing formal authority with moral leadership and how vulnerability can be a strength. Michael also highlights the need to empower teams to avoid bottlenecks, stressing the significance of emotional intelligence in today’s changing landscape. Additionally, he reflects on the critical balance between work and personal life, advocating for intentional pauses and rejuvenation.
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Leadership as Ecosystem Architecture
- Effective leadership requires assembling diverse teams that complement your strengths and fill knowledge gaps.
- Being an "architect" of a leadership ecosystem elevates decision quality and prevents bottlenecks.
Pride in CEO Succession and Culture
- Michael Fraccaro is proud of building a strong team, leading seamless CEO succession, and scaling Mastercard's culture globally.
- The CEO transition in 2020 was smooth, with outgoing CEO RJ Bunga exemplifying leadership during transition.
Plan CEO Succession Thoughtfully
- Approach CEO succession as a process, starting years ahead with clear criteria tailored to changing demands.
- Use objective evaluations and partner externally if needed; embrace different skills in successors and support board decisions.