It is a management tactic. Don't list out a successor because that gives them leverage. Saying there are several in the running makes all exec/senior managemen

It is a management tactic. Don't list out a successor because that gives them leverage. Saying there are several in the running makes all exec/senior management think they have a chance and be gunning as hard as possible for the possibility. If you want an easy way of increasing the risk folks are willing to take with little downside to the company at this point that is exactly the strategy one would implore.