on choosing a successor

This is just my opinion. Highly influenced by experience but not by anybody or current series of events.I know for a fact that when tasked to choose a successor, you will consider tenure. I agree. This would mean the person has the experience and the right exposure to the projects involved.

Next, the technical expertise, either obtained thru experience or from finishing degree programs. By experience, I know people respect other people who they know are better than they are. They trust the experts. If and when a problem arises, the people are confident that they have their leader as their guaranteed support.

Third, but the most taken-for-granted of all, empathy. Does this person care at all if his/her people gets overworked? Will he/she simply ditch any work done (aka effort) of any employee just because it isn’t what he/she had in mind? Will he/she know the meaning of compromise? Will he/she not mind if you enjoy the benefit more than the others as long as you have the work done (even exceeding expectations)?

Have you chosen wisely?