We all know what it takes to reset a device: You press and hold, knowing you'll lose some settings, erase familiar shortcuts and probably need to reinstall a few apps. But you also know it's the only way to clear the bugs, break old loops, and make way for something that actually works.
So, why do boards resist hitting reset during leadership transitions?
When a long-tenured executive director, founder-CEO or senior clergy steps down, especially after years or decades at the helm, the organization is not just replacing a person — they are breaking a pattern. And patterns, especially deep-seated ones, do not dissolve neatly with a farewell brunch and a plaque. They linger. They define culture. They shape identity. The gravitational pull of a founder — through institutional memory, staff allegiance and board deference — doesn't disappear overnight.
Please select this link to read the complete article from ASAE’s Center for Association Leadership.