Never Search Alone

Uncovering Hidden Opportunities for Senior Executives

Over the past decade, I’ve met with thousands of senior executives in transitions. Many want to explore new full-time and/or board opportunities. Some want to embrace the “portfolio life”.? Asking themselves, “What’s next for me?” but not quite knowing how to answer it.

Maybe this sounds familiar to you. Despite being an accomplished leader and having reached the pinnacle of your career, you now face the unique challenge of finding opportunities that align perfectly with your passion, interests, level, goals, financial requirements, etc., and match your life stage.

Turns out that finding opportunities is harder, not easier as you get more successful.

Despite your decades of career success, searching for board or job opportunities presents new obstacles that starkly contrast with your past experience as a senior executive, which might surface some uncomfortable and unfamiliar feelings. In my conversations, here are a few I keep hearing about:

• Loss of Control: You feel frustrated that you aren’t in the driver’s seat after being the lead decision-maker for so long.

• Access to the Right People: Senior roles are rarely advertised publicly, instead, they are found through a recruiter reaching out or a strategic, network-driven process, connecting with executive search firms, private equity or venture investors, and leveraging professional networks making it hard to connect with key decision-makers.?

• Embarrassment in Asking for Help: Reaching out to others for assistance can feel awkward.
• Proving Yourself Again: Despite impressive track records, you need to explain and convince others of your value to land the role.
• Being Ghosted: Not getting responses to emails can be particularly disheartening, leaving you in the dark about your prospects.

Over the past two years, I’ve been working with a group of executives to figure out a way to overcome these challenges and improve the search experience.? All of them are senior executives. Accomplished leaders with experience from companies like Disney, Bain, McKinsey, Nike, Rosetta Stone, Network Solutions, Yahoo, Mattel, Goldman Sachs, Franklin Templeton, Constant Contact, Crocs, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Procter & Gamble.?

We’ve learned you can overcome these challenges and improve the search experience by joining a “peer group” tailored to support you while exploring new opportunities.?

To make the most of the experience, we’ve found that it must be a confidential, bespoke experience designed to help you discover new opportunities. The group must be highly curated, bringing together like-minded, similarly staged, and accomplished executives. Otherwise, it can feel like a waste of time.

How did our group help each other?

• Expanded Networks: In regular meetings and a private online community, members connected and uncovered the right people and opportunities outside their direct network. They gained access to insider information about roles and openings that were not advertised publicly, leading to valuable introductions.

• Emotional and Unbiased Support: The groups offered a safe space to share experiences and frustrations without judgment. We provided each other with honest feedback and constructive advice, which is crucial for maintaining mental and emotional well-being during a tough job search.

• Stability in Change: The job search process can be unpredictable and stressful, but the group offered a sense of stability. Members shared best practices, successful strategies, and useful resources, creating a structured approach to the job hunt and reducing the stress that often comes with career transitions.

• Accountability and Motivation: Being part of the group helped maintain motivation and accountability. Regular check-ins and goal-setting ensured that each member stayed on track with their job search efforts. We found that peer encouragement and support can be a powerful motivator, pushing members to pursue opportunities they might not have considered on their own.

• Learning and Growth: The group is a platform for continuous learning and professional growth. You support your peers by sharing insights and perspectives. This knowledge-sharing enriches the group and can make you a more competitive candidate.

• Leveraging Collective Experience and Intelligence: By tapping into the collective experience and intelligence of the group's members streamlined their search efforts. The combined expertise and shared insights significantly reduced the time and effort needed to identify and secure new opportunities.

Adding a peer group as a search strategy offers practical benefits, emotional support, and a sense of community, helping you find roles that align with your passion and purpose. It has worked well for our group, could it work for you?

Selling three companies after working at Procter & Gamble and attending the University of Texas at Austin and Harvard Business School, I never expected to be an entrepreneur focused on the human capital market, but here I am.?

Want to learn about our groups? Message me directly or contact me here .