20 Tips For Facilitating CEO Transitions

Forbes

6 hours ago

When a new CEO steps into the spotlight, internal communications teams play a pivotal role in shaping how the transition is perceived across the organization. The first impression employees form of their new leader often comes through the messages you craft, so timing, tone and transparency matter.
A smooth transition is all about timely announcements, plenty of team interactions and creating space for trust to grow. To that end, 20 Forbes Communications Council members share practical steps you can take to guide your organization through this change in leadership.
Internal comms pros can communicate, connect and collaborate. It's imperative to communicate clearly and promptly with employees. Engage with teams and allocate time for the CEO to meet with employees face-to-face. Jump into team meetings and articulate the objectives clearly. Activate the 100-day campaign where updates are scheduled every week for the first 100 days to communicate progress and strategy. - Alanood Aldhaher, American University of Sharjah
Create a 90-day plan for socializing the new CEO within the company. This should include a listening tour and other opportunities for employees to provide feedback. Have the CEO reflect on what they are hearing. Employees will want to know how their lives will change under the new leader—giving them a voice throughout the transition will make them feel more included on any changes. - Patrick Holmes, Veteran Benefits Guide
When a new CEO joins, there should be a series of proactive digital and physical touchpoints to introduce the leader personally, as well as communicate the leader's vision for the company. This will build trust and help align the organization under the new leadership. - Krystle Craycraft, NyTex Partners
The first 90 days are key for visibility, listening and two-way communication. Plan events such as company town halls and other opportunities for employees to ask the new CEO questions about their approach and strategy for the business. Ensure the CEO is visible and responsive in internal communications as they ramp up. - Sheryl Seitz, C4 Ventures
Emphasize an employee-first approach. I've seen too many employees find out about a new CEO from the front pages. Media coverage should be concurrent with internal announcements. There also must be clear messaging about the implications for the company, the various departments and employees. The internal communications team should continue to push management to prioritize relaying information. - Andrew Frank, KARV
Forbes Communications Council is an invitation-only community for executives in successful public relations, media strategy, creative and advertising agencies. Do I qualify?
A new CEO is a powerful opportunity to align employees with the vision of the company's leadership and to help each individual see how their role contributes to that success. But nature hates a vacuum, so move quickly to help the new CEO articulate and communicate that vision—also look for ways to help employees feel they know the new CEO as a human being and not just a title. - Elizabeth Baskin, Tribe, Inc.
Connect the new CEO to the front line and middle management with every opportunity. When the CEO visits a company site for orientation, set up small meet-and-greet groups with informal agendas. Make it a listening tour more than anything else. This gives employees more direct access to the new chief executive while providing diverse insights from employees to the CEO. - Mark Dollins, North Star Communications Consulting
One of the most overlooked but powerful steps internal comms can take is to narrate the transition in real time. Don't just announce the new CEO. Tell the story as it unfolds. Explain: Why did the change happen? What did the process look like? What can employees expect next? This builds transparency, reduces speculation and brings people along instead of leaving them behind. - Sara Payne, Inprela Communications
When a new CEO joins, one thing that really helps is introducing him or her in a genuine, relatable way. Share who this person is, what they stand for and what they're excited to bring to the company. A short video, a Q&A or even a casual town hall goes a long way. It helps people feel included, reduces uncertainty and sets the tone for a smooth transition. - Luciana Cemerka, TP
A new CEO's arrival is like launching a new brand, especially in turnarounds. Given that CEO hiring and performance oversight are core board duties, the board must be visible in the CEO rollout and ensure that marketing, communications, and HR lead with clarity. Starbucks got this right as Board Chair Mellody Hobson and CEO Brian Niccol modeled a high-trust launch that protected brand and stakeholder value. - Toby Wong, Toby Wong Consulting
Shared context lowers stress levels. So, start by planning a live, all-hands AMA within the first few days of the new CEO's arrival, where staff submit questions anonymously and comms crafts candid replies linking the leader's vision to existing culture. Quick and empathetic transparency can turn uncertainty into collective momentum. - Jamie Elkaleh, Bitget Wallet
Give the new CEO a voice before they ever speak. Share a playlist, a handwritten note or a photo of their hiking trip. Humanizing them through unconventional signals builds curiosity and trust faster than polished bios ever could. It makes the transition feel personal, not procedural. - Cade Collister, Metova
There's already a lot of great advice out there on this topic. However, it is based on the assumption that internal comms pros are fully looped in. The most essential step to take during a new CEO transition is to make sure internal comms are engaged from the very early stages all the way through the transition period. Be a partner in the process and bring everyone along on the journey. - Barnaby Pung, Merit Network
Schedule listening sessions for the new CEO within the first 30 days with as many key constituents as possible. Any time there is a change at that level, people get nervous. Change is inevitable since they didn't bring in the new person to just keep the status quo, but the agenda will be better absorbed if people feel like they got the opportunity to be heard. - Ted Hong, Solera Health
Focus the messaging on why this CEO is the right fit for the future. Highlight their strengths, vision and what they bring to the table. When internal comms leads with excitement and clarity, not fear of change, it builds confidence, aligns teams faster and sets a positive tone for the transition. - Prateek Panda, Tonic.ai
Partner early with the CEO to craft a clear, authentic introduction plan, one that shares their vision, values and communication style. This builds trust, reduces uncertainty and sets the tone for transparency and alignment from day one. - Cody Gillund, Grounded Growth Studio
Don't treat a new CEO's arrival like a top-secret operation! Internal comms pros should prioritize transparent and proactive communication from the moment the announcement is made. This upfront approach combats rumors and anxiety, fosters a sense of inclusion and allows employees to start aligning with the new leadership's vision from day one. - Patrick Ward, NanoGlobals
Don't fall into the "100 days" trap. Great CEOs manage for the next decade, not the next few months. Think through the strategic positioning of everything you ask the CEO to say or do, and imagine how it will age over the years. - Bob Pearson, The Next Practices Group
When a new CEO steps in, one of the best things internal communications can do is help the team understand that change is coming, and that's not bad. It starts with honest, human messaging that sets the tone: New leadership means fresh vision, and yes, our way of working might shift. But we don't lose our footing if we stay open and aligned. We grow together. - Rich Bornstein, Bornstein Media
Employees are generally wary of uncertainty. Proactively sharing key aspects of a succession plan even before the CEO officially joins the team is an important step that internal comms pros can take to ensure a smooth transition. Addressing questions like "why now?" and "what does the transition mean for the company?" are just as important as who. The first two can be shared well in advance to reduce uncertainty. - Rekha Thomas, Path Forward Marketing