Leading Through Change: 10 Lessons from My 10 Years at AESC

As I reflect on my 10 years as CEO of the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC), I am filled with pride in all that we have accomplished together. It has been an extraordinary journey full of growth, challenges, and meaningful impact. When I joined, I was asked to focus on transforming the association to respond to our evolving profession, building on the important work done by each of my predecessors.? ?It’s important to continue this spirit of transformation in the future to ensure the long-term success of AESC.?

It has been a privilege to lead the association representing the world’s most trusted executive search and leadership consulting firms, and in doing so, have learned invaluable lessons along the way. Today, I want to share 10 key reflections on the past decade, lessons that have shaped my leadership, AESC, and our incredible profession.

1.??Integrity and Ethics are the foundation of AESC and its members

I have always believed that integrity comes first. I knew when I joined AESC that this core value of mine aligned perfectly with AESC’s. Beginning in 1959 when AESC was founded, we have been responsible for upholding the highest standards of ethics and integrity as a non-negotiable. AESC members are trusted advisors, tasked with shaping the future leadership of organizations around the world.

Through our standards and sharing of best practices, we’ve continually raised the bar, setting new benchmarks for the industry. Our standards have evolved as the profession’s ecosystem has evolved, ensuring that AESC membership continues to signify the gold standard in excellence. This commitment to ethics has solidified AESC’s reputation as a trusted authority.

2.???The Power of Community: Strengthening Leadership Together

At its core, AESC is a community. Over the past decade, I have witnessed firsthand how the strength of a global community can empower AESC members to achieve more. Executive search and leadership firms work in a competitive environment, yet the collaboration and knowledge-sharing we’ve seen within AESC is profound. Our collective commitment to “strengthening leadership together” has not only elevated our profession but also forged lasting connections that make us all stronger.

While our members compete in the marketplace, they collaborate for the good of the profession.

The ability to support and strengthen this powerful community has been a privilege. We are united by shared values and ethical standards, and that’s what sets us apart.

3. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: A Business Imperative

Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has always been central to AESC, but I am particularly proud of the way we have heightened our commitment worldwide.

AESC’s commitment to DEI has helped shape leadership teams around the globe, fostering a more inclusive and representative vision of what leadership can and should look like. We know that diverse thinking and lived experiences drive innovation which in turn drives growth.

In 2020, working closely with 7 leading member firm CEOs, we created a diversity pledge and asked AESC members to sign this pledge, committing to using our collective voices and actions to help create a world that is Inclusive, Diverse, Equitable, and Accessible (IDEA) for all.? We also launched 5 regional IDEA councils representing all parts of the world.? And, we added a new award recognizing IDEA excellence in our profession.??

My proudest moment was when I received this IDEA Award this year – nominated unanimously by the AESC Board of Directors with individual letters of recommendations from those CEOs that worked with me in 2020 to create that pledge, plus two highly respected global DEI leaders.

We understand that we need to change the narrative to respond to an ever-changing world, but we do this to strengthen our resolve—not to walk away from our commitments.

4. The Importance of a Global Perspective

AESC’s strength lies in the diverse perspectives of our members around the world: global firms and networks, regional firms, and boutique and independent firms. I’ve been privileged to work with member firms from every corner of the world. I’ve seen the value that different perspectives bring to our work and appreciate the importance that different cultures have in shaping leadership.

The global perspective we champion is more than just a geographic reach—it’s about understanding the broader context of leadership in an evolving world. AESC’s diverse membership allows us to lead conversations that transcend borders, empowering our members to deliver insights that help organizations thrive in any market.

5. Leading Through Crisis: Resilience During the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic was perhaps the greatest challenge of my tenure. It tested every facet of our leadership, our profession, and our ability to adapt. I’m incredibly proud of how the AESC community rose to the occasion.

With no warning, we pivoted to virtual platforms, ensuring that the AESC team could stay connected with each other and with our members as they faced the challenge of staying connected with the clients they serve. And while the world felt uncertain, our members provided stability and insight to their clients, helping companies navigate their most pressing leadership needs in a time of crisis. The resilience demonstrated during that time will be a defining characteristic of our profession for years to come.

The sudden global “freeze” in the second quarter of 2020 was quickly replaced by extraordinary growth in 2021 and 2022, challenging our members to meet the critical needs of their clients – and our members around the world rose to this challenge.?

6. Adapting to Disruption: Embracing Technology and AI

One of the most exciting—and at times daunting—shifts during my tenure has been the rise of technology, particularly AI, within our profession and with our clients. When I began this journey, many of us could not have imagined the rapidly changing impact AI would have on the way we approach executive search and leadership consulting, and the impact AI has on our clients as they adapt to shifting trends.

AESC is engaging members, partners, global experts, and clients in discussions around responsible, impactful AI as this technology rapidly evolves. It’s critical to remember that our business is centered on human connections Our members lead as trusted advisors with a deep understanding of their clients’ business and talent challenges combined with their deep expertise, supported by a range of tools including those driven by AI.?

7. The Role of Trust in Our Profession

One of the most significant lessons I’ve learned over the past decade is the unparalleled importance of trust. As executive search and leadership advisory professionals, our members are entrusted with helping organizations make some of their most critical decisions. This trust is not given lightly, and it must be earned through transparency, expertise, and a deep understanding of both clients and candidates.

Throughout my leadership, I have emphasized the value of trust in every aspect of our work as an association, ensuring that AESC members are not only trusted partners but also true stewards of the leadership landscape.

8. Continuous Learning: The Key to Staying Ahead

Our profession is intensely competitive and rapidly evolving and staying ahead means committing to continuous learning. At AESC, we’ve created opportunities for members to deepen their knowledge, from best practices in executive search to the latest developments in leadership trends, technology, and talent strategy.

As the pace of change accelerates, so must our readiness to adapt. I’ve seen firsthand how our members' investment in continuous learning has made them more agile, innovative, and successful in delivering exceptional value to their clients.

Our global conferences are truly best-in-class, focused on speakers that are thought-provoking and provide leading-edge insights. These conferences also shine a light on our critically important research – with our members and with clients worldwide. This research helps AESC members stay a step ahead in understanding client needs and our profession’s evolution.

9. Building a Legacy of Leadership

AESC has a 65-year history of excellence and I’m proud of the contribution I’ve made to this legacy. Our association has grown stronger and more influential over the past 10 years, and our future is bright. The strength of our association can be measured by the strength of our members around the world – the best executive search firms in the world.?

A legacy of leadership is about more than just one person. It’s about the leadership team that you grow, develop, and empower. AESC leaders understand the importance of meeting the needs of our members—they collaborate with each other, leveraging their unique talents and expertise, and they lead with confidence and integrity.?

10. Looking Ahead: The Future of AESC and Leadership Consulting

Reflecting on the past decade, I am filled with optimism for the future of AESC and our profession. The world of work is changing rapidly, and our members must continue to evolve. But the core of what our members do—identifying, developing, and supporting great leaders—will always be vitally important.

AESC is well-positioned to lead in this era. Our members are truly trusted advisors, our integrity is uncompromising, and our global community is stronger than ever. The next chapter will undoubtedly bring new challenges, and I am confident that AESC will continue to be a beacon of excellence in our profession.

Conclusion

The past 10 years have been an extraordinary journey, and I am deeply grateful to the AESC team and the AESC community for their trust, collaboration, and unwavering commitment to excellence. At the end of 2024,? I will be moving on and am excited about a blend of opportunities that will allow me to continue to have a business impact, balanced with a bit more focus on family and friends.?