The author of this article is Stefan Barmettler, journalist at Handelszeitung, who also conducted the interview with Chad Hesters for this article.
Chad Hesters, CEO of the global headhunting firm Boyden, talks about his experience in executive search and emphasises the importance of cultural fit when filling management positions. Boyden is active in 45 countries and operates 75 offices worldwide to fill top positions such as CEO and board member. Hesters emphasises that a candidate may have an impressive CV, but if they don't fit the company culture, the appointment will not be successful.
He compares leadership styles in different regions, noting that Northern Europe tends to favour collaborative, consensus-driven management approaches, while the US favours strong individuals at the top. He also talks about the use of technology, such as AI, in the selection process, but emphasises that human experience and intuition are key to selecting the right candidate.
Hesters also touches on diversity and inclusion, recognising that these principles are important, but also that honest conversations need to be had with clients about what they really want, especially when diversity is still under-represented in certain sectors.
Overall, Hesters emphasises the importance of understanding cultural differences, maintaining high standards and ensuring that leadership is aligned with the company's values and strategic goals.
You can find the full article here.
