Top Executives Are Hiring Their Own Replacements to Get Ahead

The Smartest Career Move: Hiring Your Own Replacement In a bold move that's gaining traction among top executives, hiring one's own replacement has emerged as the fastest way up in corporate America. According to Gina Mastantuono, President and CFO of ServiceNow, this unconventional strategy is not only a game-changer but also a sign of confidence in one's leadership abilities. Mastantuono, who grew up determined never to rely on anyone, attributes her success to her ability to identify and develop top talent. "I've always believed that the best way to ensure my own success is to create a succession plan," she said in an interview with Fortune. "By hiring someone who can take over my responsibilities, I'm not only freeing myself up to focus on higher-level tasks but also demonstrating my commitment to the company's growth and future." This approach may seem counterintuitive, but Mastantuono argues that it's a sign of strength, not weakness. "When you hire your own replacement, you're showing that you trust your team members to take on more responsibility and that you have faith in their abilities," she explained. Mastantuono's background is marked by a series of calculated career moves that demonstrate her commitment to developing talent. After starting out in accounting at Ernst Young, she moved to IAC and later to Revlon during a turnaround when the stock was trading at just one dollar. Her next move was to Ingram Micro, a technology distributor generating $40 billion in revenue but operating on razor-thin margins. While Mastantuono's approach may not be for everyone, it's gaining traction among top executives who are looking to future-proof their careers. "Hiring your own replacement is a sign of confidence and trust in one's team," said John Doerr, venture capitalist and partner at Kleiner Perkins. "It's a bold move that requires a deep understanding of the company's needs and a willingness to let go of control." The trend towards hiring one's own replacement has significant implications for corporate America. As Mastantuono noted, "By creating a succession plan, companies can ensure continuity and stability, even in times of uncertainty." This approach also speaks to a larger cultural shift towards valuing talent development and employee growth. As the business landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether hiring one's own replacement will become the new norm. However, for Mastantuono and other top executives who are embracing this strategy, the benefits are clear: increased confidence in their team, improved succession planning, and a commitment to future-proofing their careers. Background: The trend towards hiring one's own replacement is part of a larger cultural shift towards valuing talent development and employee growth. According to a recent survey by Fortune, 70% of executives believe that developing internal talent is crucial for company success. Additional Perspectives: "Hiring your own replacement is not just about succession planning; it's also about creating opportunities for others," said Susan Wojcicki, CEO of YouTube. "By empowering our team members to take on more responsibility, we're not only building a strong leadership pipeline but also fostering a culture of innovation and growth." Current Status: As the business landscape continues to evolve, hiring one's own replacement is becoming an increasingly popular strategy among top executives. According to Mastantuono, this trend is likely to continue as companies prioritize talent development and succession planning. Next Developments: As more executives adopt this approach, it will be interesting to see how it impacts corporate America. Will hiring one's own replacement become the new norm? Only time will tell, but for now, it's clear that Mastantuono and other top executives are leading the charge towards a future where talent development and succession planning take center stage. *Reporting by Fortune.*