Most succession planning efforts fail before they even begin — simply because HR never gets the clarity they need from the top. This guide gives you the exact questions that uncover your CEO’s expectations, long-term vision, timeline, risk factors, appetite for transparency, and readiness to make critical decisions.

These questions aren’t theoretical. They’re the same ones used in real organizations to avoid misalignment, unrealistic assumptions, and costly missteps. Use this guide to walk into your CEO conversation prepared, confident, and equipped to design a succession strategy that actually works — not one that stalls out later. If you want your program to succeed, this is the place to start.