Abstract
Succession strategy, when viewed through a developmental management lens, is widely recognised as a critical mechanism for advancing firm sustainability by ensuring leadership continuity, preserving organisational capability, and supporting long-term growth. This study explored the connection between succession strategy and firm sustainability in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Adopting a survey research design, the study incorporated both primary and secondary data sources. Primary data were gathered through structured questionnaires administered to 77 respondents, while secondary data were drawn from scholarly journals, textbooks, and reputable online sources. The questionnaire, designed on a five-point Likert scale, addressed key areas including leadership continuity, mentoring, and talent retention. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and the Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient at a 0.05 significance level. The findings demonstrated a positive and significant relationship between succession strategy and firm sustainability, highlighting that systematic leadership continuity enhances the longevity and resilience of organisations. This underscores the importance of proactive leadership development and systematic succession processes in maintaining operational stability and competitive advantage. The study concluded that long-term organisational success depends on deliberate efforts to identify, train, and prepare potential leaders for future roles. It is recommended that management should institutionalise formal succession frameworks, mentorship programmes, and leadership capacity-building initiatives to strengthen internal leadership pipelines.