Mid-Career Reflection: Key Questions to Ponder

Reaching the midpoint of your career often involves grappling with feelings of unfulfilled ambitions, overlooked chances, and alternative paths. However, this stage also presents a significant opportunity for introspection and charting a new course. To guide this process, consider the following inquiries.

What might I lament in a decade?

Project yourself into the future and consider the regrets that could arise from inaction today. Let this foresight inspire your current decisions.

How can I discover and live by my true purpose?

Transition from a career moulded by external influences and the expectations of others to one that resonates with your personal sense of meaning.

What are my current values and priorities?

Recognize that these may have evolved over time. Deliberately assess the trade-offs you are prepared to accept and those you are not.

What expertise have I gained? Contemplate the skills and knowledge you have amassed in your career thus far and how they can be leveraged to achieve your purpose, values, and priorities.

What do I envision for my daily life?

While considering the broader picture, also focus on the details. Think deeply about how you want each day to unfold.

Taking greater control of your career search, seeking out a leadership team that you would like to work with or for, where you see a real future and opportunity to make a difference.

If you would like to discuss your career in more depth or require executive coaching, feel free to get in touch.

https://www.cgrahamconsulting.com

Why you should use an Executive Search partner.

At Any Time, 25% of Executives Are in Transition.

One-quarter of executives are in the process of transitioning into a new role at any given time, and 58% say they are likely to move again within two years.

According to Gartner research, of those executives in transition, about 40% are underperforming, based on their own assessment.

Executives also get less time today to settle in. The average time for a transitioning leader to achieve success is roughly seven months, but many organizations now need and expect new executives to start delivering results more quickly — well before even the 100-day mark.

Gartner

The significance of using an executive search firm is highlighted by the intricate challenges of executive transitions, as detailed in recent research indicating that a quarter of executives are actively transitioning at any given time. This process is delicate, and the stakes are high, missteps not only jeopardize the executive's success but can also result in detrimental ripple effects throughout the organization.

Executive search firms specialize in navigating these transitions. They provide a structured, evidence-based approach to senior hiring that is crucial in minimizing the risks associated with bringing in new leadership. Their expertise includes identifying candidates who are not only qualified but also the right fit for the company's current context and culture. This is vital considering the underperformance risks during transitions.

Furthermore, executive search firms offer strategic support from the beginning of the hiring process through the critical first months of the executive's tenure. They can assist in defining quick wins, ensuring alignment with strategic goals, and establishing relationships that bolster both immediate and long-term success.

In an environment where early results are increasingly expected, the seasoned perspective of an executive search consultant serves as a compass for organizations, guiding them towards hires who can deliver those results without the prolonged runway that was once the norm.

Leveraging an executive search firm is an investment in the organization's future, laying the groundwork for a seamless integration of leadership that aligns with and accelerates the company's strategic objectives. The guidance and structure provided by these firms are indispensable tools for organizations aiming to fortify their leadership teams and secure competitive advantage in the marketplace.

If you would like to find out more about CGC and how we can support your Executive Search feel free to get in touch.

https://www.cgrahamconsulting.com/

"Leadership and Recruitment:

Insights from 'Make Your Bed'"

You may have seen the video or read the book "Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World", by Admiral William H. McRaven

It’s an excellent speech that provides insight into building teams and leading a more positive life.

How might you apply this to Executive Search / Recruitment and how does it translate to seeking out top talent for your clients?

Executive Recruitment involves drawing parallels between the book's principles and the qualities, behaviours, and attitudes essential in successful executives. Here's how each point can be applied:

1. Start Your Day with a Task Completed: In executive recruitment, this translates to valuing candidates who demonstrate discipline and attention to detail. Such individuals are likely to bring the same level of diligence to their professional roles.

2. You Can’t Go It Alone: Teamwork is critical in leadership positions. A good executive should be able to build, manage, and rely on a team, fostering a collaborative environment.

3. Only the Size of Your Heart Matters: Executive roles often require resilience and passion more than just technical skills. Recruiters should look for candidates with determination and a strong commitment to organizational goals. This can also be reflected by their achievements and personal interests or hobbies.

4. Life’s Not Fair—Drive On! Executives often face unexpected challenges and unfair situations. Candidates who can navigate these with a positive attitude and a focus on solutions are valuable. Especially when it comes to the current economic climate, there will be many challenges ahead with an increasingly diverse workforce.

5. Failure Can Make You Stronger: A candidate’s history of overcoming failures and learning from them can be a strong indicator of their resilience and ability to adapt. This is a key quality for executive roles, where risk management is crucial. Varied experience or different roles in the same company, or variety of industries or geographic locations are also indicators of adaptability and learning.

6. Dare Greatly: Executives need to be innovative and willing to take calculated risks. Candidates who demonstrate boldness and a track record of innovative thinking are often suited for leadership roles. Critical for the increasing demand for Tech knowledge, change and AI.

7. Stand Up to the Bullies: Integrity and the ability to stand up for what is right are important in leadership. Candidates should be assessed for their ethical standards and courage to confront unethical behaviour.

8. Rise to the Occasion: Executives often need to perform under pressure. Look for candidates who have demonstrated the ability to excel in high-stress situations. Keeping a cool head when others are losing theirs is a reflection of an individual that people may prefer working for.

9. Give People Hope: An executive should be a source of inspiration and motivation for their team. Candidates who inspire confidence and have a positive impact on their teams are highly desirable. Investing in peoples learning and development, as well as their own would be one important factor to look out for.

10. Never, Ever Quit: Perseverance is key in leadership. Candidates should exhibit a strong commitment to their goals and an unwillingness to give up in the face of adversity.

In summary, the principles from "Make Your Bed" align closely with the attributes needed in successful executives. Executive recruitment should focus on identifying candidates who not only have the necessary skills and experience but also exhibit these character traits and leadership qualities.

"Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World" is a book by Admiral William H. McRaven

For more insights into Executive recruitment and strategic hiring reach out to me at

https://www.cgrahamconsulting.com/