Navigating leadership to drive your business forward!

In a market where skill-shortages are rife and competition is everywhere, more emphasis is being placed on a leaders needing to consider their succession plan and identify where the trailblazers in your business lie. Having placed leaders across various industries, we've had the privilege of witnessing first-hand the qualities and practices that set exceptional leaders apart.

Working with many of our clients when recruiting for senior leadership roles, one of the most common issues they express is the ability to sieve through what is tangible and factual on a CV and what is not. Senior level candidates will have taken time to craft their CV and cover letter, and with vast experience to list, it can be tough to compare an individual’s suitability for your unique business.

As a result, LinkedIn found that for senior hires, often multiple interview stages take place. This first stage then allows you to get a brief insight into how accurate a CV is, and address any questions you may have. Here are a few things to look out for when you’re looking to hire at senior level.

Vision and Strategy:

Great leaders possess a clear vision for the future and a strategic route for achieving it (Forbes, 2024). They inspire their teams to achieve by setting both short-term objectives and long-term goals. By aligning the team's efforts with this vision, the best leaders are able to provide a sense of purpose and direction – which ultimately motivates your people.

Emotional Intelligence:

It may sound obvious, but time and time again we hear the horror stories about the impact that poor leadership can have. Leadership is as much about people as it is about strategy. Great leaders demonstrate high emotional intelligence, understanding and empathising with the emotions and perspectives of others. As the famous quote goes “people don’t leave bad jobs, they leave bad leaders”. By adopting a supportive and inclusive culture, good leaders empower their teams to thrive and excel.

Adaptability and Resilience:

In today's rapidly changing business environment, adaptability is paramount. Effective leaders embrace change as an opportunity for growth, remaining agile and resilient in the face of challenges. The Telegraph (2023) found that employees define a leader as someone who ‘leads by example, demonstrating flexibility, creativity, and a willingness to learn from setbacks.’ By hiring someone who has a passion for innovation and continuous improvement, it’s generating long-term success.

Authenticity and Integrity:

Authenticity breeds trust, and trust is the foundation of effective leadership. Great leaders demonstrate authenticity, transparency, and humility, earning the respect and loyalty of their teams (Peter Jones). By providing a culture of honesty and accountability, your leaders create an environment where individuals feel valued and empowered to contribute their best.

Talent Development and Empowerment:

A final thing to look out for is a leaders ability to recognise that their success is intrinsically linked to the development and success of their teams. They will be passionate ?invest in talent development, providing mentorship, training, and growth opportunities to nurture the potential of their employees. A survey by the ONS, 2023 found that by empowering individuals to take ownership of their work and pursue their passions, leaders cultivate a culture of innovation, engagement, and high performance.

Hiring effective leadership is not a destination but a journey—one that requires time and technique. By seeking to identify a leader with the qualities of vision, emotional intelligence, adaptability, authenticity, and talent development, you can almost be guaranteed that you’ll be hiring the right person to lead your team.

If you would like to find out more information on our recruitment services or to find out further tips on recruiting top talent, feel free to get in touch.