The world is changing. Before the pandemic, the main hiring factor for new CEOs was their efficiency and ability to achieve objectives. In a fast-paced environment, the right person could be counted on to make the right decisions and deliver results.
They had strong track records, large networks, and impressive degrees from prestigious schools. They were also often hired for their charisma and ability to inspire others, which was important when it came to motivating employees.
In today’s world, however, CEOs are increasingly being hired based on their ability to think strategically and solve problems creatively. Today’s CEOs must be more than just managers — they must also be leaders.
They need to have a vision and be able to communicate it in a way that inspires others to follow them. This is especially true in industries where many competitors are vying for attention and resources (e.g., tech).
The best CEOs can also see beyond the current situation — they know what happens next, where the company needs to go next, and how to get it there. Let’s take a look at how the role of CEOs has evolved since the start of the pandemic and what it means to be an effective business leader in today’s economy.
This discussion takes a bird’s eye view and generally applies to CEOs across several industries, from healthcare CEOs to private equity CEOs, finance CEOs, manufacturing CEOs, and more.
The most successful companies are those that hire for the future. They don’t just hire for today; they hire for tomorrow and beyond. But how do you find those people? How do you know what skills will be needed in the future? And how can you make sure you get them?
These aren’t easy questions, but they are necessary ones. For example, if your company is in the healthcare space and you want to find a new CEO, how do you know what kind of experience and skills will be most valuable?
In a post-pandemic world, many things have changed. In the business world, leadership has become more important than ever before. The modern executive is a different breed than we’ve seen in the past.
This is due to several factors, including the loss of many great leaders and the need for new skills that allow you to adapt quickly to changing circumstances.
In our current era, hiring someone who can lead is just as important as hiring someone who has experience in your industry or company.
In the wake of the pandemic, we have seen a significant shift in how CEOs view their roles. In the past, they were focused on how to make money, grow their companies, and create jobs. Today, they are thinking about how to help people and their communities survive and thrive.
In this post-pandemic world, CEOs must understand how their companies can play an important role in helping people get back on their feet after this devastating event.
The traditional model of the CEO is evolving. It’s not just because of the pandemic, either. Changes in the global economy have affected how we think about leadership and select those who lead us.
The modern-day CEO is a unique animal. They are expected to be highly skilled at managing a company’s finances, people, and operations. They need to be able to foster an inclusive culture that attracts and retains top talent while simultaneously motivating those same employees to work together as a unit toward a common goal.
And as the face of their organization, they must also be able to lead by example and inspire their teams with their actions and words.
The modern executive needs to be able to think strategically and plan ahead. While some may believe this is an old-fashioned concept, it is still as important as ever. You need someone who can look at your company as a whole and understand where it needs to go in order to be successful in today’s world.
The modern executive understands how data can help him or her make decisions regarding the direction of his or her business. There has been an explosion of data available over the last few years, and this trend will continue well into the future.
A good leader will know how to use this information wisely so he or she can make better decisions about his or her business as well as other aspects of life outside of work.
In short, CEOs are expected to do it all — and do it well — in order to succeed in this digital age where customers expect more than ever before.
The modern CEO needs more than just technical expertise and business acumen — they also need emotional intelligence. In addition to being able to work within their organization, they need social skills too if they want to be effective leaders in today’s workplace culture.
The modern executive has been forged in the crucible of a pandemic that killed millions, including many key players in the corporate world. They have learned how to lead through adversity and uncertainty. They have grown accustomed to a world where everything can change at any moment.
The post-pandemic world is a new landscape for business. The old rules don’t apply anymore. The most successful companies will be those that have adapted to the new world and are ready to take advantage of the opportunities it offers.
Organizations should consider making an effort to become more diverse in their hiring practices — hiring people from different backgrounds who can bring fresh perspectives to their organization. You may find that candidates from outside your industry (or even outside your country) have valuable experience that can be useful to your company.
The good news is that executives are not defined by one set of skills or personality traits; they come in all shapes and sizes, with different backgrounds and experiences. There is no one way to be an executive — the key is finding a way that works for you and your organization.
Our hands-on executive recruiters have experience working with private, public, pre-IPO, and non-profit organizations. Clients are typically $50 million in revenue to Fortune 1000’s or have assets between $500 million to $15 billion. Successful placements span the entire C-Suite – CEO, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and include vice president, general counsel, and other director-level leadership roles.
Cowen Partners delivers 3X more qualified candidates than the competition. Through our proven retained executive search process, we find, vet, and deliver the top 1% of candidates for positions across the C-suite. Our process works for all industries, including technology, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, real estate, financial service, private equity, and more.
Learn how we deliver top talent, no matter the need, with our industry-leading research and resources. Discover the strategy that made Cowen Partners the top retained executive search firm in New York, Chicago, Seattle, Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, and beyond.
Fill out the email request form to learn more about our approach.