Thinking on search,
talent and leadership.

Executive search is leaving the Rolodex era. AI agents are changing the economics of leadership hiring by doing everything else so humans can focus where it matters.

For decades, executive search was driven by who your consultant knew and their gut feel. That model is now under pressure from three forces that are not going away.

The biggest risk you face is not failing to hire a unicorn. It is quietly tolerating an almost-right leader in a role where AI is reshaping the game. Here is the research-backed cost.

Deloitte's analysis of 46,000 executive job postings found a sharp rise in demand for data and quantitative skills across almost every C-level role. Not just CIO and CTO. Every role.

The more AI automates at scale, the more valuable senior leadership becomes. Not less. Companies will run leaner. But someone has to direct the agents, make the strategic calls, and build culture with fewer humans in the room.

84% of CMOs say there is no internal ready-now successor for their role. CMO tenure has hit its lowest point since 2009. When a senior marketing leader leaves, the damage compounds fast.