The Real Secret to Growth? It’s Not AI—It’s Leadership

Growth isn’t just a goal—it’s a grind.

After 15+ years as a boutique headhunter, I’ve noticed something: companies don’t just grow—they’re grown by the right leaders. Yet, while everyone’s obsessing over AI, market strategies, and digital transformation, I keep coming back to one simple truth: none of it works without the right people in the right seats.

Strategy is great. But strategy without leadership? That’s like having a Ferrari with no gas. Looks impressive, doesn’t get you very far.

When Good Leaders Aren’t Good Enough

Here’s a lesson I’ve learned the hard way—growth doesn’t happen just because you want it to. It’s not magic; it’s muscle. Like training for a marathon (minus the blisters), it takes discipline, the right mindset, and, most importantly, the right team.

McKinsey recently found that high-growth companies share five key mindsets: ? Prioritizing growth ? Acting boldly ? Staying customer-focused ? Nurturing talent ? Executing with precision

But here’s what caught my attention: it’s not enough to have these mindsets. You need leaders who can turn them into action.

Case in point—a tech company I worked with had all the right strategies on paper. But their leadership team? Solid at keeping things running, not so great at pushing boundaries. We brought in someone from fintech who had tackled similar growth challenges in a different industry, and suddenly, everything changed. Sometimes, the best leader for the job isn’t the obvious choice.

The Bold Move No One’s Talking About

Let’s talk about what really makes a growth leader.

I recently placed a CEO who didn’t tick all the traditional boxes. Their industry experience was limited, but they had a track record of leading three different companies through major transformations. The board was hesitant at first—until six months later when the company started breaking growth records.

McKinsey’s research says only 8% of leaders feel confident in their talent strategy. Not shocking. Finding transformative leaders is hard. But from what I’ve seen, the most successful companies aren’t just filling roles—they’re building teams that balance each other out. They’re looking for leaders who can:

?? Challenge assumptions without creating chaos ?? Listen to customers and teams with equal intensity ?? Execute with precision but stay open to pivots ?? Build capabilities that don’t even exist yet

Beyond the Resume: What Really Drives Growth

Here’s a stat that made me pause: only 15% of leaders consistently incorporate customer feedback into their decisions. Fifteen percent.

That number says a lot. In my world, it translates to a go-to interview question: “How do you make sure you’re actually hearing what your market is telling you?”

I recently worked with a consumer goods company that took a gamble on a leader from the tech sector. Why? Because they needed someone who could build a customer-centric organization from scratch. It wasn’t just about having the right experience—it was about having the mindset to bake that into the company’s DNA.

The AI Factor: Finding Leaders Who Get It

Let’s be real—AI is changing everything. But here’s the thing: I’m not just looking for leaders who know AI. I’m looking for leaders who know how to use it—to drive growth while keeping the human element at the center.

The best leaders I’ve placed recently? Not necessarily AI experts. But they know how to ask the right questions and build teams that can find the answers.

Where Do We Go From Here?

As we navigate 2025, leadership expectations are evolving fast. Based on McKinsey’s insights and what I see daily in executive search, successful companies aren’t just looking for leaders. They’re looking for growth catalysts—the rare individuals who can:

?? Turn bold visions into practical action plans ?? Build teams that embrace change instead of resisting it ?? Use technology as an enabler, not a crutch ?? Create a culture where growth is everyone’s business

What leadership challenges are you facing as you pursue growth in 2025? Let’s talk about how to build teams that don’t just hit targets—they shatter them.