The Challenge
Securing a new CEO for a $600 million company operating within the fast-paced perishable commodity industry presented a unique set of difficulties. The required experience was niche on multiple levels. Critically, the role demanded a leader adept at managing a board of owners who were heavily invested in the business’s ongoing success. The talent pool was constrained by the small size of the entire industry, meaning most potential candidates across Canada and the USA were known entities. Compounding this, the client company held pre-existing, varied views and experiences concerning these known individuals, making objective assessment crucial.
The Solution
The recruitment strategy deliberately moved beyond conventional approaches. The process involved working through the potential candidate list with an open mind, recognizing that the replacement did not necessarily need to be a current CEO. There was a conscious effort to look beyond strictly defined prior experiences and hard skills, placing greater emphasis on often-overlooked soft skills. The requirements of the role were broken down and analysed through the lenses of Leadership Style, Communication abilities, Emotional Quotient (EQ) over pure IQ, and adaptability. This reframing allowed the search to expand the potential pool, considering candidates based on who could be successful in this specific context, rather than solely who had already been successful elsewhere. Interview questions were specifically adapted to delve into demonstrated success in change management, specific accomplishments, and the candidate’s vision for improving the organization and their reasoning.
The Outcome
This tailored approach significantly expanded the talent pool and the overall scope of the search by encouraging ‘outside the box’ thinking. The focus shifted towards understanding the company’s current position and future aspirations, thereby clarifying the specific type of leader and leadership style needed to propel the organization to the next level. The process highlighted that in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing world, bringing in individuals with different experiences, diverse viewpoints, and fresh thinking can uncover valuable talents and skills. These qualities, perhaps not initially thought essential, ultimately proved highly beneficial for the organization’s future trajectory and success.