Answer: Succession Planning Question: What can we learn from Alex Trebek about Human Capital Management?
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Alex Trebek, the long-standing host of "Jeopardy!" for more than 32 seasons, passed away on November 8, 2020, leaving some feeling like we have lost a steadfast friend who has been in our lives for decades. In March of 2019, Trebek went public with his Stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Fans poured in adulation and well-wishes, and Trebek continued to host throughout his cancer treatment. His last taping was October 29, 2020, leaving his fans with six weeks of "Jeopardy!" to be aired through December with him at the helm. It's hard to think of "Jeopardy!" without thinking about Alex Trebek, and vice versa. The position of host is so connected to Trebek that this position clearly required a succession plan.
Over the last year, we saw some hints that the leaders of "Jeopardy!" were working with Alex Trebek to ensure a respectful and smooth transition for a new host.
How do you determine which positions in an organization need a succession plan and what do you do once you identify them? Our own Leslie Beauchamp provides both a heartfelt tribute to Alex Trebek and an informative guide to succession planning in her full article, “Answer: Succession Planning Question: What can we learn from Alex Trebek about Human Capital Management?”