What happens when an entire executive team retires at once? How do you ensure leadership continuity, preserve company culture, and protect long-term value?
In this episode of Succession Stories, host Laurie Barkman sits down with Mark L. Vincent, founder of Design Group International and expert in process consulting and leadership transitions. Together, they explore how leaders can build organizations that thrive beyond their tenure — not just structurally, but emotionally and culturally.
Mark shares insights from his own journey leading a firm through succession planning after personal loss, and later transitioning out of his own role. He reveals the critical importance of emotional intelligence, peer-based advising, and intentional development of future leaders.
This conversation is essential for entrepreneurs, executives, and advisors who want to ensure their business doesn’t just survive — it continues to grow and reflect its original values long after the current leaders move on.
💬 Quote of the Episode:
"Firm with process and soft with people."
🔗 Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Mark Vincent: https://linktr.ee/marklvincent
✨📖 Get your FREE digital copy of The Business Transition Handbook here: https://btsherpa.com/book
📣 Write a Review: https://ratethispodcast.com/successionstories
This Show Is Sponsored by The Business Transition Sherpa®
More Resources:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/
Website: https://thebusinesstransitionsherpa.com/
Book: https://btsherpa.com/book
Course: https://btsherpa.com/course
Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessTransitionSherpa
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
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