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Speakers

Dr. Shari Simpson Senior Manager Thought Leadership | Paylocity

Shari Simpson, EdD, is the host of HR Mixtape and a senior thought leadership leader at Paylocity. With over two decades of experience across training, talent, payroll, and employee relations, she brings curiosity, candor, and real-world perspective to every episode. Shari holds a Doctor of Education in Leadership and Innovation, along with an MBA, MHRM, and SHRM-SCP certification.

Megan Leasher Founder | Disruptive Journeys

Megan Leasher is an award-winning organizational psychologist, thought leader, and founder of Disruptive Journeys, helping individuals and organizations thrive in the face of disruption. A dynamic speaker and coach, she has held executive talent management roles and been featured in Forbes, U.S. News and World Report and The New York Post. She was named an HR Rising Star by Human Resource Executive Magazine and The 10 Most Influential Leaders in HR by Insights Success Magazine.

Human Resources

Improving Succession Planning: Why it Feels like a Fire Drill and How to Fix It

Succession planning isn't just about filling roles; it's about building a strong bench of talent ready to step up when needed.

Podcast

April 16, 2026

In this episode, Dr. Shari Simpson talks with Megan Leasher, founder of Disruptive Journeys, about the challenges of succession planning in organizations. They discuss how to shift the perception of succession planning from a reactive process to a proactive strategy that involves all levels of the organization.

Listeners will learn practical steps to identify critical roles, engage employees in the process, and create a culture of shared responsibility for leadership development.

Key takeaways:

Understand the difference between succession planning and replacement planning.
Identify critical roles that impact organizational success.
Implement a committee approach to succession planning.
Normalize conversations about succession planning within teams.
Develop a common language to discuss succession planning effectively.

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