Skip to Main Content
HBS Home
  • About
  • Academic Programs
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Research
  • Baker Library
  • Giving
  • Harvard Business Review
  • Initiatives
  • News
  • Recruit
  • Map / Directions
Faculty & Research
  • Faculty
  • Research
  • Featured Topics
  • Academic Units
  • …→
  • Harvard Business School→
  • Faculty & Research→
Publications
Publications
  • February 2016 (Revised October 2016)
  • Case
  • HBS Case Collection

Linda Rabbitt at rand* construction

By: Boris Groysberg and Katherine Connolly
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:20
ShareBar

Abstract

Linda Rabbitt, founder and CEO of rand* construction, walked into her office at the company's headquarters in Alexandria, VA, and closed the door behind her. It was 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 22, 2014, and she had just addressed her staff after the sudden and tragic death of the company's well-loved president, Jon Couch, the previous Friday afternoon. It had been an emotional address, as Rabbitt tried to inspire the company to move forward, while holding back her own tears. For Rabbitt and for everyone else at the company, the loss was both professional and personal. Furthermore, Couch's death signified for Rabbitt the loss of her entire succession plan. Now in her mid-60s, Rabbitt was preparing to turn over the reins of the company to Couch, whom she had partnered with and mentored for 18 years. What should Rabbitt do now? What should she plan for the future now that Couch was gone?

Keywords

Women And Leadership; Women Executives; Succession Planning; Leadership; Entrepreneurship; Management Succession; Construction Industry; District of Columbia

Citation

Groysberg, Boris, and Katherine Connolly. "Linda Rabbitt at rand* construction." Harvard Business School Case 416-022, February 2016. (Revised October 2016.)
  • Educators
  • Purchase

About The Author

Boris Groysberg

Organizational Behavior
→More Publications

Related Work

    • February 2016 (Revised October 2016)
    • Faculty Research

    Linda Rabbitt at rand* construction

    By: Boris Groysberg and Katherine Connolly
    • June 2018
    • Faculty Research

    Linda Rabbitt at rand* construction

    By: Boris Groysberg, Katherine Connolly Baden and Julia Kelley
    • June 2018
    • Faculty Research

    Linda Rabbitt at rand* construction (Video Supplement)

    By: Boris Groysberg, Katherine Connolly Baden and Julia Kelley
Related Work
  • Linda Rabbitt at rand* construction By: Boris Groysberg and Katherine Connolly
  • Linda Rabbitt at rand* construction By: Boris Groysberg, Katherine Connolly Baden and Julia Kelley
  • Linda Rabbitt at rand* construction (Video Supplement) By: Boris Groysberg, Katherine Connolly Baden and Julia Kelley
ǁ
Campus Map
Harvard Business School
Soldiers Field
Boston, MA 02163
→Map & Directions
→More Contact Information
  • Make a Gift
  • Site Map
  • Jobs
  • Harvard University
  • Trademarks
  • Policies
  • Accessibility
  • Digital Accessibility
Copyright © President & Fellows of Harvard College