CEO Succession Planning and Leadership Development - Corporate Lessons from FC Barcelona

Authors, while studying development and succession planning strategies at FC Barcelona, one the most successful club in Spanish Football history with 62 domestic and 17 international trophies to its name, analyzed that consistent and long history of success of club is deeply rooted in its culture right from grooming of homegrown talent at La Masia to the appointment of technical support and coaching staff. Fielding of La Masia XI against Levante in 2012 is treated as one of the greatest moment of Blaugrana history. Authors studied the FC Barcelona's approach to Succession Planning and concluded that club indeed pursues ‘inward' approach to succession planning through development of potential leader from homegrown talent resulting in elevation of Tito Vilanova in 2012, an understudy of Josep Guradiola since 2007. During the era of Pep, club has also worked towards developing belief of its stakeholders on its playing philosophy; Tiki-Taka. This is akin with development of stakeholder confidence in organization growth strategies. Taking cue from Succession Planning Strategies of the club, authors presents an ‘inward' framework for organizations for identifying and grooming in-house talent which can be later developed battery of future leaders