Communication

• Communicate your move with your team as early as possible
• Start meeting with your successor even earlier than that
• Bring enough energy and optimism to the table for everyone

Direction

• Discuss mission and vision with your replacement & determine if any changes are needed as you leave
• Keep the mission and vision clear for the team in transition. If changes are happening, set the stage for your successor to lead that change

Definition

• Define the win for those you're leaving behind and for who you're leaving in charge
• Define the values and behaviors your team should maintain in the transition
• Define the essential roles and responsibilities for your successor to take on day one. There are a lot of things you're doing as an established leader but only a few things your successor must do as a new leader.
• Define the responsibilities and strengths of everyone you're leaving to your successor’s care

Delegation

• Ensure nothing gets dropped in the transition even if some people need to stretch for a season
• Set up your team to succeed in your absence, regardless of when you're leaving

Documentation

• Write down what you do, why you do it, how you do it, and who does what you don't
• Provide a one-page breakdown of your priorities
• Provide a sample calendar of your monthly rhythm
• Provide a full-year calendar of what the team does regardless of what the team will do