Leaders’ Timely Succession: Neither Term Limits nor “Golden Parachutes,” Rather Periodic Tests of Trust Ascendance

Abstract

Successful leaders tend to reach a dysfunction phase and to become conservative self-serving oligarchic. Polities and large organizations try to prevent this by term limits despite many drawbacks, while corporations use “Golden Parachutes,” a costly measure with major drawbacks as well. Despite much research, the timely succession of leaders in large organizations remains a recalcitrant problem demanding a solution. A review of current solutions points to the plausible use of intangible rewards rather than tangible ones by offering leaders possibility of multiple terms with each reelection requiring a higher majority in a proper constituency. This will reward leaders by plausible tenure prolongation, prestigious higher majority reelection, and plausible creative innovation due to long time horizon, while barring dysfunctional oligarchic continuity. Suggestions for practicing this solution and for further study of the problems it entails are offered.