August 2016
Case
HBS Case Collection

CEO Succession at Cisco (A): From John Chambers to Chuck Robbins

By: Boris Groysberg, J. Yo-Jud Cheng and Annelena Lobb

Format:Print
| Language:English
| Pages:24

Abstract

A smooth transition from former CEO John Chambers to new CEO Chuck Robbins had put Cisco in a position of strength. Looking back, the board reflected on what they had done well and what they might have done differently, and pondered whether another company might be able to implement a similar CEO transition process. This case reviews the specific steps taken by the board of directors and other stakeholders during the selection process. Participants in the process included John Chambers, who was the company’s CEO at the time, the Cisco board of directors, Cisco’s human resources group, and the executive search firm Spencer Stuart. The process occurred in several stages, including an informal stage during which the board became familiar with candidates, followed by a 16-month formal process with goal-setting and clear definition of roles for all involved, various interactions with and evaluations of possible candidates, and voting.

Keywords

Information Technology; Management Succession; Technology Industry

Citation

Groysberg, Boris, J. Yo-Jud Cheng, and Annelena Lobb. "CEO Succession at Cisco (A): From John Chambers to Chuck Robbins." Harvard Business School Case 417-031, August 2016.