Test 16 · Managers of managers
Bench Strength
If nobody could do your job tomorrow, you haven’t finished doing it.
The short answer
Bench Strength is a free self-test for leaders thinking about who could step into their role. You list up to 8 people, initials are enough, and rate each on four readiness questions. You get a bench map (ready now, in a year, not yet) with a move for each group, and who is closest to your role.
Drafted with AI for Jay Sampat, Chief Mirror Holder · coach review pending
- Who it’s for
- Managers of managers who couldn’t take a long holiday today because nobody could cover their role.
- What you get
- A bench map of up to 8 people (ready now, ready in a year, not yet), a move for each group, and who is closest to your role.
The holiday you postponed because nobody could cover your role.
Try a question now
I give someone work they’re not quite ready for, and back them while they learn it.
A question from The 42 Test that touches this topic.
Bench Strength
Who could step into your role?
If nobody could do your job tomorrow, you haven’t finished doing it. Most leaders know this and still can’t name anyone, or name one person without asking whether they’re ready or even want it. A bench is a few people at different stages, each with something to grow into.
Take Bench Strength: list up to 8 people, then rate each on four questions. About five minutes.
What does the test look at?
Four questions about each person:
- Could they run your area for two weeks without you?
- Do they make the decisions you would have made, without checking first?
- Do they have the trust of the people they would lead?
- Would they need you to step in on most hard problems?
What do I get at the end?
A bench map with three groups, Ready now, Ready in a year and Not yet, each with one move to try, and the person closest to stepping into your role. The names stay in your browser; the share text gives counts only.
How is it worked out?
Each person’s four answers are averaged on a 1 to 5 scale, with the last question flipped so a higher number always means more ready. An average of 4 or more is ready now, 2.75 or more is ready in a year, and below that is not yet. The person with the highest average is shown as closest to your role; on a tie, the one listed first.
The questions, groups and advice are a draft written with AI and are waiting for a coach’s review. Treat the result as your own view, not a verdict on anyone.
What should I read or take next?
Read how to build bench strength for what to do with the map. If you can’t picture anyone running your area because everything waits on you, start with Amplifier or Bottleneck. Founders asking the same question will find Two Weeks Away useful. Every tool for this stage is on the Managers of managers page.
Drafted with AI · coach review pending
Questions people ask
- How do I build a succession plan for my own role?
- Start by naming the people who might step in and being honest about how ready each is. Then give the closest one a real stretch, such as running your area for a week, and hand the next one part of your job for a quarter. Bench Strength gives you the first map.
- Are the names I type stored anywhere?
- Only in your browser. Coach42 never sees them, nothing is sent, and the share text counts people without naming them. Initials are enough.
- How is the bench map worked out?
- Each person is rated on four questions from 1 (never) to 5 (always); one is flipped. Their average places them: 4 or more is ready now, 2.75 or more is ready in a year, below that is not yet. The person with the highest average is shown as closest to your role.
- Is this a judgement on the people I list?
- No. It’s your own view of readiness today, to help you plan. It isn’t an assessment of anyone, and it’s worth checking against what each person actually wants next.
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I tell my team when I think they’re capable of more.
Drafted with AI · coach review pending