Executive search4 min read
What good executive search looks like
Speed of shortlist is a weak signal. Research depth and assessment rigour are the ones that predict a good hire.
A shortlist delivered in 48 hours usually means a database was filtered, not that a market was mapped.
Good search begins with a written mandate: what the leader must achieve in 12 months, the constraints they will inherit, and how success will be measured.
From there, research maps the credible universe of candidates across the sector, including those not looking. Assessment then tests capability against the mandate, not against a generic competency list.
The last mile matters most: references, honest calibration with the client, and structured onboarding once the leader is in seat.