The median age of the U.S. STEM-skilled workforce is rapidly increasing, and proactive succession planning is needed to maintain leadership skill continuity in vital industries and occupations. Succession planning must begin to include followership development to support an uninterrupted pipeline of talent. The presentation will examine the intersection of succession management practices and followership behaviors that can enhance succession planning and leadership transitions in STEM occupations and leadership roles. A conceptual framework outlining the impacts of integrating followership development with succession and leadership transition planning in STEM professions will be presented with practical insights for cultivating beneficial followership behaviors.

Succession planning is a strategic and often overlooked process that ensures the sustainability of leadership and followership within organizations. In the absence of effective succession planning, we risk losing not only future leaders but also the opportunity to empower followers to take on more active, engaged roles. This workshop will explore how succession planning functions as a bridge between leadership and followership, emphasizing its role in sustaining nonprofit and NGO organizations. It will include opportunities for attendees to share their best practices as well!

This facilitated session explores how the human resource function can transition from a support function to a strategic partner by leveraging the power of followership. Participants will share interactive discussions and exercises to identify what they envision a more strategic role to be, how to pursue it using followership techniques, and what obstacles they will need to overcome along the way. Participants will leave with insights on where their HR function is going and how to get there with the help of followership.

You believe in the power of followership — but too often, the message doesn’t land. This session explores why facts and logic often fall flat, and how a shift toward connection can make your advocacy more effective. Gloria and Tim will unpack the emotional resistance many people have to new ideas and explore practical and credible ways to speak so others can truly hear. If you’ve ever felt unheard, dismissed, or frustrated trying to share what you know is true, this session is for you. You’ll come away with a whole new way of engaging — and winning — converts.