This book is a must read for executives, the board of directors, and people managers in middle-market and aspiring middle-market companies who want to proactively reduce workforce risks so that business goals can be achieved. This succinct read is tailored to today's busy business leaders and: Starts with 3 scenarios of an organization with a promising path for growth. The first scenario assumes business strategy execution without incident. The second scenario shows the economic dip over a 5 year period resulting from the unexpected departure of a key executive. The third scenario shows how the initial loss of the key executive snowballs into dramatically disappointing organizational results over a 5 year horizon. Is loaded with first-hand experiences shared by 25+ executives in middle-market companies interviewed for the book who currently do succession planning and reap its many benefits (i.e. peer learning in print). Provides a road map of the 7 steps involved in the people succession process in addition to time saving tips. Identifies the top 9 derailers to people succession and how to address them. Reveals sensible approaches used by busy executives when preparing people for future responsibilities. The book explains why companies that rely too heavily on recruiting from the external candidate pool put business strategy execution at risk. Speaks to CEO succession, board issues, and the monitoring of key performance indicators for determining if your people succession works. TABLE OF CONTENTS Forethought Acknowledgements Chapter 1: Why Succession Planning and Management Matters Chapter 2: People Succession Defined Chapter 3: The School of Hard Knocks Chapter 4: Career Champions Chapter 5: Climate Counts Chapter 6: Derail the Derailers Chapter 7: Derailer 9: Career Conversations Chapter 8: Talent Magnet Tool Kit Chapter 9: Wanted: Blue Boxers Chapter 10: The Board and Talent Analytics Chapter 11: Ready, Set, Go Afterthoughts About the Author"