Warren Buffett, at 94, announced his decision to step down as Berkshire Hathaway CEO after leading since 1970.Buffett had a clear succession plan in place, with Greg Abel named as his successor in 2021, emphasizing the importance of future-focused leadership.Boards are advised to hire CEOs based on their vision and growth plans for the organization rather than just past accomplishments.To ensure smooth CEO transitions, boards should proactively establish succession planning frameworks, identify potential leaders, and regularly reassess future leadership needs.