How to preserve continuity of service, culture, and craft
There’s no single path to leadership succession, and sometimes the right path surfaces organically. That’s the biggest lesson that Dix.Hite + Partners learned: Both in 2009 when its co-founder Chris Hite succeeded then-CEO Jeff Dix, and once again when Kody Smith assumed the role from Hite in 2023. While there may not be a one-size-fits-every-business approach to succession, having an identity as an organization with clear goals makes it possible to determine a path forward.
Still, defining this path takes time, effort, and years of internal and external discussions. In the interest of smoothing your succession journey, here is some actionable advice.
Know Who You Are, And Who You Want To Be
Dix.Hite + Partners was founded in 1996 by Dix and Hite; in 27 years, it has grown to a team of more than 40 professionals across offices in Orlando, Fla., Atlanta, Ga., and Birmingham, Ala. As a growing landscape architecture firm, three key objectives have remained the same throughout the journey:
- Continuity of client relationships
- Continuity of culture
- Continuity of craft.