Secret Leaders Succession planning for Founder-CEO’s - Evgeny Shadchnev
Jun 11, 2024
In this conversation, Evgeny Shadchnev, author and co-founder of Makers, shares his insights on the emotional and strategic complexities of stepping down as a CEO. He discusses recognizing the right time to transition and the necessity of meticulous succession planning. Evgeny emphasizes that such moves shouldn’t be viewed as failures but rather milestones of success. He also shares the challenges he faced during his transition, including unexpected hurdles, and highlights the importance of personal reflection and preparation for both founders and new leaders.
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Evgeny’s CEO Transition Start
- Evgeny decided to step down right after a 2019 funding round but took a gradual approach over 14 months.
- He worked closely with his chair to ensure a smooth transition without rushing or sudden resignation.
Fraud Discovered Post-Transition
- Unknown fraud was discovered four months after Evgeny stepped down, creating a crisis for the company.
- The outgoing and incoming CEOs collaborated closely, built trust, and effectively managed the situation together.
Founder Transition Is Success
- Founder CEO transitions are surprisingly common but rarely discussed openly.
- Stepping down is a sign of success, marking the company's readiness for the next growth phase.