Transition 3.0: Why Succession Planning Isn’t Enough
Tue Feb 03 2026
Why do so many business transitions fail—even when the legal documents are “perfect”?
In this episode of Business Transition Roadmap, Elizabeth Ledoux breaks down Transition 3.0, a collaborative approach to succession that moves beyond secrecy and top-down announcements. She explains how traditional transition models often create shock, quiet resentment, or surface-level alignment—and why involving the next generation before decisions are finalized dramatically improves outcomes.
Elizabeth outlines the differences between Transition 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0, showing why compliance is not commitment, assumptions create risk, and people support what they help create. If you’re an owner planning for the future—or a successor trying to understand where you fit—this episode offers a clearer path forward.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
The three transition models most owners use without realizing itWhy secrecy and “I’ll tell them when it happens” creates riskHow Transition 2.0 improves timing but still falls shortThe difference between compliance and commitmentWhy most transitions fail on the human sideHow collaborative design increases clarity, buy-in, and durability
Elizabeth & The Transition Strategists
Website: https://transitionstrategists.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetransitionstrategists
Elizabeth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethledoux/
Transition Strategists on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/transitionstrategists/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transitionstrategists
Subscribe to The Business Transition Roadmap
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3MxSYA2
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3IhMMux
Chapters in This Episode
00:00 – Introduction to Transition 3.0
01:05 – Succession Planning vs. Transition Strategy
02:15 – Transition 1.0: “I’ll Tell Them When It Happens”
04:30 – The Shock, Risk, and Fallout of Secrecy
06:40 – Transition 2.0: Informing Without Including
09:30 – Compliance vs. Commitment
11:15 – Why Assumptions Undermine Transitions
12:40 – Transition 3.0: Collaborative Design Explained
14:50 – Including the Human Side of Transition
16:40 – Why Transition 3.0 Works
18:00 – Invitation to the Evolve Program & Closing Reflection
More
Why do so many business transitions fail—even when the legal documents are “perfect”? In this episode of Business Transition Roadmap, Elizabeth Ledoux breaks down Transition 3.0, a collaborative approach to succession that moves beyond secrecy and top-down announcements. She explains how traditional transition models often create shock, quiet resentment, or surface-level alignment—and why involving the next generation before decisions are finalized dramatically improves outcomes. Elizabeth outlines the differences between Transition 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0, showing why compliance is not commitment, assumptions create risk, and people support what they help create. If you’re an owner planning for the future—or a successor trying to understand where you fit—this episode offers a clearer path forward. What You’ll Hear in This Episode: The three transition models most owners use without realizing itWhy secrecy and “I’ll tell them when it happens” creates riskHow Transition 2.0 improves timing but still falls shortThe difference between compliance and commitmentWhy most transitions fail on the human sideHow collaborative design increases clarity, buy-in, and durability Elizabeth & The Transition Strategists Website: https://transitionstrategists.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetransitionstrategists Elizabeth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethledoux/ Transition Strategists on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/transitionstrategists/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transitionstrategists Subscribe to The Business Transition Roadmap Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3MxSYA2 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3IhMMux Chapters in This Episode 00:00 – Introduction to Transition 3.0 01:05 – Succession Planning vs. Transition Strategy 02:15 – Transition 1.0: “I’ll Tell Them When It Happens” 04:30 – The Shock, Risk, and Fallout of Secrecy 06:40 – Transition 2.0: Informing Without Including 09:30 – Compliance vs. Commitment 11:15 – Why Assumptions Undermine Transitions 12:40 – Transition 3.0: Collaborative Design Explained 14:50 – Including the Human Side of Transition 16:40 – Why Transition 3.0 Works 18:00 – Invitation to the Evolve Program & Closing Reflection