Fortune Asks Shawn Cole About New Target CEO
Cowen Partners Executive Search President and Co-Founder Shawn Cole was recently quoted in Fortune on the appointment of Target’s new CEO, Michael Fiddelke. In discussing the challenges ahead, Cole emphasized that Fiddelke must move beyond being seen as an insider and prove he can drive real change: “He’s got to prove he’s not just another
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Why Interim & Boomerang CEOs Are on the Rise — and What It Says About Corporate Succession
New research shows CEO turnover is accelerating at a pace that should concern every corporate board. According to data from global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, CEO departures in April 2025 surged 70% compared to the same month last year — marking one of the sharpest year-over-year increases on record. While the reasons for
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How to Rewrite the Mental Scripts That Are Quietly Sabotaging Your Success as a Leader
Even top-performing executives are held back by silent internal scripts — learn how to spot them, rewrite them and lead with renewed clarity and confidence. Executive pressure has never been higher, and neither has the silence. CEOs today are navigating complex, fast-changing markets while projecting absolute certainty. But behind the boardroom polish, many are quietly
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Onboarding Excellence: Creating a Seamless Transition for New Hires
Data from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) indicates that 20% of all employee turnover occurs in the first 45 days of employment. It is, therefore, critical that your onboarding process be designed to not only integrate new hires into your company culture but also improve employee engagement in order to retain star talent.
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What Smart Companies Know About Tax That Others Miss
Most executives focus on compliance, deadlines, and working with external CPAs—but savvy organizations see beyond the basics. In my latest Forbes Business Council article, I spotlight how forward-thinking leaders are elevating their tax strategy—from treating taxes as a cost center to recognizing them as a strategic lever. I dive into how high-performing businesses proactively uncover
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Why Your Company Is Failing at Building the Next Generation of Leaders
Leadership isn’t just about finding the right person for today — it’s about building a bench for tomorrow. In my latest article for Fast Company, I explore why flattened org charts and leaner management layers are leaving companies with fewer ready-now leaders, and what you can do to reverse the trend. From redefining mid-level experience
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Gen X Execs Risk Being Passed Over for Top Roles
Companies are increasingly bypassing Generation X for CEO positions, choosing instead to retain baby boomer leaders or promote younger executives, The Wall Street Journal reports. In the Russell 3000, the representation of chief executives aged 60 and older has risen to 41.5%, up from 35.1% in 2017. At the same time, the percentage of CEOs
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Visionary CEOs & COOs: Catalysts for Corporate Turnarounds
By Shawn Cole, President & Founder — Shawn Cole is a nationally recognized authority on CEO recruiting. His insights regularly appear in Forbes, Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, and other leading publications, delivering nuanced and critical analysis on executive recruitment, corporate turnarounds, and the evolving demands of modern C-suites.
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