LATEST EXECUTIVE INSIGHTS
Stig Strand
C- Suite and Executive Games Industry Recruiter - Ambassador at Special Effect
This week I thought I’d share some interesting articles that I’ve discovered recently, including a look at ‘conscious leadership’, AI and its use (and possibly misuse) within organisations, the last affect the COVID pandemic has had on the workplace, and how companies should plan for leadership changes…
Leading With Purpose, Clarity & Self-Awareness: Lasting success comes from?‘conscious leadership’ – essentially leading “with purpose, clarity and self-awareness”, according to this article from Entrepreneur. Author Marc Kielburger points out that leaders operating with a ‘heightened consciousness’ are better equipped to navigate uncertainty, inspire their teams, and create meaningful impact. The piece suggests practical ways to cultivate this approach: adopt a long-term, generational perspective, lead with love and purpose, focus on what’s important (not just what’s urgent), and live your personal values out loud. In short, true leadership success isn’t just?what?you achieve, but?how?you lead – with vision, humility, and consistent values. You can learn more about it here - https://www.entrepreneur.com/leadership/this-approach-to-leadership-is-the-key-to-lasting-success/487648
Has COVID Really Changed the Way We Work? Five years after the pandemic upended office life, City AM takes a look at how the pandemic has?permanently reshaped work culture?in many ways. Practices that were once emergency measures have become routine: remote and hybrid work are now “embedded in workplace culture”and flexibility has shifted from perk to baseline expectation. The article points out that employees today prioritise things like flexible schedules,?paid?mental health days, and regular wellbeing check-ins at the top of their list. In response, employers have had to rethink everything from office space to benefits – essentially redesigning work around the assumption that?people expect flexibility and support as a given. The piece cites research showing employee wellbeing has taken ‘centre stage,’ with companies realising that supporting mental health and work-life balance isn’t just a ‘nice-to-have’, but key to attracting and retaining talent. To be sure, not everyone has embraced this new way of working (some firms are pushing for office returns, stirring debate on productivity and engagement. But by and large the employer-employee dynamic has?fundamentally changed, and the companies that adapt to these lasting changes – balancing flexibility with business needs – will be the ones to thrive. Read on for more - https://www.cityam.com/five-years-on-has-covid-really-changed-the-way-we-work/
How Businesses Are Using AI: Companies have been?eagerly experimenting?with generative AI in everything from marketing to coding, according to Axios - but results so far have been decidedly?mixed. The article suggests that there’s a sense of urgency in many boardrooms – a feeling that you must use it or get left behind. CEOs have been enthusiastically shoving AI into workflows to boost productivity, only to discover that the technology isn’t a magic button. One reality check is the issue of AI ‘hallucinations’ – where the AI confidently makes stuff up out of thin air. These tools can produce answers that?sound?authoritative but are factually wrong, which means any AI-generated work?needs to be checked by humans to avoid serious mistakes. In practice, that reduces some of the efficiency gains executives hoped for. On the bright side, generative AI?is?delivering value in certain tasks, freeing up humans for higher-level work. There’s more here - https://www.axios.com/2025/03/09/generative-ai-corporate-america-chatgpt
5 Things the C-Suite Keeps Getting Wrong About AI: Meanwhile, Fast Company’s article calls out several?misconceptions about AI?that are common in corner offices, essentially debunking the myths some executives believe. According to the author, here’s what many executives are still getting wrong: AI is more about augmentation than automation; AI’s managerial role is limited; AI’s impact on work is about tasks, not titles; AI adoption rates aren’t as high as hype suggests; We need greater AI literacy at all levels. And the key takeaway? “Don’t be so quick to believe your organisation’s future is solely about replacing humans with AI. Instead, focus on how human ingenuity can be amplified.” Take a deep dive in the myths here - https://www.fastcompany.com/91291309/5-things-the-c-suite-keeps-getting-wrong-about-ai
C-Suite Shakeups Ahead: How To Prepare for Leadership Changes: Over the next couple of years, over half of C-Suite execs are likely or extremely likely to leave their current roles, according to a recent survey by Gartner. And this article by Newsweek takes a look at what this means to organisations, in terms of the challenges they will face, whilst offering some key advice on how companies can get ahead of this change. Key takeaways include emphasising succession planning, particularly with C-Suite terms getting shorter; examining how better to retain leaders, including better wellbeing support; and considerations around executive search… Take a look here - https://www.newsweek.com/ceo-c-suite-rising-turnover-trends-human-resources-hr-response-2031493… and, of course, if you are searching for C-Suite talent, I would love to talk to you about the services we offer. Choosing Amiqus Executive Search means partnering with a team dedicated to delivering leadership excellence. We connect exceptional talent with exceptional organisations, helping you secure visionary leaders who will drive your company forward. Please get in touch!