Successful transitions involving a formal role for the former president, such as chancellor, are rare enough that the authors think theirs is an exceptional experience and is worth sharing, especially given the bulge of presidential retirements anticipated over the next decade. The authors believe that this model of transition can be successful, but only if fairly stringent conditions are met. Can a former president stay on as chancellor without crossing leadership swords with his successor? The authors draw from their own unique--and successful--transition experience and present a case study of one presidential transition. (Contains 4 notes.)