Preparing for smooth leadership transition should be a top priority for all school heads and boards. If not well planned, transitions can create stress on the institution, affecting both enrollment and fund-raising. Creating a leadership succession plan needs to be a joint effort of the board and the key management position in the school. Elements of the plan should be based on the strategic plan of the school, its vision for the future, and the identification of the leadership characteristics and qualities needed to move the institution forward. The identification and development of new leadership is an essential part of succession planning. Whether it is immediate succession due to an unforseen event, or long-term succession as a part of the strategic planning process, leadership succession planning should be a part of every institution to help insure its long-term viability.